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Upturn AI Summary - About
American Water Works(AWK)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for AWK
09/25/2026: AWK (1-star) is a SELL. SELL for 1 day. Simulated Profits (-0.68%). Updated daily EoD!
American Water Works is the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility in the United States, offering a defensive, income-oriented stock for investors. Its main strength lies in its expansive regulated utility footprint and a proven strategy of consolidating fragmented municipal systems to drive growth. The primary investment story centers on the essential nature of its services and the ongoing need for massive water infrastructure renewal. However, the company faces risks from regulatory rate-case outcomes, high capital expenditures, and interest rate sensitivity. It is well-suited for dividend-focused and low-risk investors, who should monitor the company's ability to successfully navigate diverse state regulatory environments and manage infrastructure costs.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | The company offers steady but moderate growth rather than the aggressive appreciation sought by typical growth investors. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock is typically characterized by lower volatility and steady performance, rarely exhibiting the sharp price momentum sought by this group. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | While providing reliable cash flows, utility valuations are often premium due to their defensive nature. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | The company is a frequent choice for dividend growth investors due to its long history of reliable, increasing payouts. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | As a regulated utility providing an essential service, it is often viewed as a defensive stock with lower relative market beta. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Low | The stock generally experiences less volatility compared to the broader market, serving as a defensive holding. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Utility stocks can become expensive in low-interest-rate environments, leading to potential multiple compression if rates rise. |
| Competition risk (municipal) | Medium | Competition from municipal providers and localized public systems can limit growth opportunities in certain regions. |
| Business quality | Strong | The company provides an essential service with stable demand and a clear regulatory framework, indicating high business quality. |
| Dividend income | Strong | The dividend is considered highly reliable due to the regulated nature of the primary revenue stream. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Significant long-term infrastructure projects and complex acquisitions require diligent project management and regulatory navigation. |
Price Behavior
Steady Uptrend
The stock demonstrates consistent and steady upward price momentum.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -9.86% | Avg. Invested days 48 | Today’s Advisory SELL |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/25/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 26.14B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 23.04 | 1Y Target Price 141.45 |
Price to earnings Ratio 23.04 | 1Y Target Price 141.45 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 2.0M shares | Beta 0.58 | 52 Weeks Range 118.82 - 142.37 | Updated Date 09/25/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 118.82 - 142.37 | Updated Date 09/25/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.54% | Basic EPS (TTM) 5.71 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated Utility Services | Water and wastewater service charges regulated by state utility commissions. | This is the core business providing stable, predictable income through essential services. |
| Market-Based Services | Military contract operations and homeowner service line protection programs. | These offer supplemental revenue streams outside the standard utility rate base. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 23.04 | Forward PE 20.04 | Enterprise Value 42.31B | Price to Sales(TTM) 4.95 |
Enterprise Value 42.31B | Price to Sales(TTM) 4.95 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 8.01 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 13.99 | Shares Outstanding 198.73M | Shares Floating 198.32M |
Shares Outstanding 198.73M | Shares Floating 198.32M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.12 | Percent Institutions 107.03 |
Upturn AI Summary
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
About American Water Works
Exchange NYSE | Headquarters Camden, NJ, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2008-04-23 | CEO, President & Director Mr. John C. Griffith | ||
Sector Utilities | Industry Utilities - Regulated Water | Full time employees 7000 | Website https://www.amwater.com |
Full time employees 7000 | Website https://www.amwater.com | ||
American Water Works Company, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It offers water and wastewater services on military installations; and undertakes contracts with municipal customers, primarily to operate and manage water and wastewater facilities, as well as offers other related services. The company also operates approximately 80 surface water treatment plants; 520 groundwater treatment plants; 170 wastewater treatment plants; 55,000 miles of transmission, distribution, and collection mains and pipes; 1,200 groundwater wells; 1,800 water and wastewater pumping stations; 1,100 treated water storage facilities; and 75 dams. In addition, it offers water and wastewater services to 14 states serving approximately 3.6 million active customers. The company serves residential customers; commercial customers, including food and beverage providers, commercial property developers and proprietors, and energy suppliers; fire service and private fire customers; industrial customers, such as large-scale manufacturers, mining, and production operations; public authorities comprising government buildings and other public sector facilities, such as schools and universities; and other utilities and community water and wastewater systems. The company was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey.
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