California Water Service Group logo

California Water Service Group(CWT)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
2-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 5 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
+3.15% ▲
LAST CLOSE
$51.04
11/06/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1Y
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  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CWT

11/06/2026: CWT (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

California Water Service Group is a regulated water utility providing essential water and wastewater services primarily in California. As a long-standing player in the sector, the company is known for its stable revenue, operational reliability, and consistent history of dividend payments to shareholders. Its core investment story centers on steady rate-base growth through infrastructure modernization and strategic system acquisitions. Key risks include exposure to drought-related water scarcity, regulatory lag, and the capital-intensive nature of its business. The stock is best suited for income-oriented and low-risk investors, though stakeholders should monitor regulatory outcomes and climate impacts closely as indicators of future financial performance.

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 styleFitWhy
Growth investorWeak fitThe company offers moderate growth typical of regulated utilities rather than high-growth potential.
Momentum investorWeak fitThis is a defensive stock that typically lacks the volatility or rapid price appreciation sought by momentum investors.
Value investorMixed fitUtility stocks are often evaluated on yield and regulatory stability rather than traditional value metrics.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe long history of dividend increases makes it a suitable candidate for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorStrong fitRegulated utilities offer lower beta and stable demand, providing a defensive profile.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowAs a regulated utility, the stock generally experiences less price movement than the broader market.
Valuation riskMediumUtility stocks can become expensive in low-interest-rate environments, creating valuation sensitivity.
Competition risk (Regulatory fragmentation)LowThe primary competition is often municipal entities, which do not always compete for the same service areas.
Business qualityStrongThe company provides an essential service with stable demand, underlying strong business quality.
Dividend incomeStrongThe company has a consistent track record of returning capital to shareholders.
Execution riskMediumSuccessfully managing large infrastructure projects and navigating rate cases is essential to profitability.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -15.23%
Avg. Invested days 33
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/06/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CWT receives a 3-star rating based on the available scored pillars. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, weak price momentum, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CWT has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid profitability (net margin 12.8%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-32.8%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -21.4%), slightly negative revenue growth (-3.5%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CWT's financial health is supported by solid profitability, including gross margin of 64.3% and operating margin of 18.3%. Liquidity is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
CWT's growth profile is soft, with the least-weak measure being revenue growth at -3.5% FY2025 versus FY2024. By comparison, while earnings growth (-32.8%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-19.2%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 94.4% and approximately 99.2% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.63%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 17.11%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 6.97%
T. Rowe Price Investment Management,Inc. 5.59%
Amundi 5.55%
State Street Corp 5.20%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CWT generates approximately $643 of gross profit, $183 of operating income, and $-214 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Negative free cash flow explains the 2-star rating, with weak cash conversion and soft capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 13.00%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CWT has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 3.20B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 22.49
1Y Target Price 54.75
Price to earnings Ratio 22.49
1Y Target Price 54.75
Volume (30-day avg) 448.6K shares
Beta 0.47
52 Weeks Range 40.39 - 53.46
Updated Date 11/06/2026
52 Weeks Range 40.39 - 53.46
Updated Date 11/06/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 2.61%
Basic EPS (TTM) 2.26

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Regulated Water ServicesWater sales and delivery to residential and commercial customers.The company earns money by delivering essential water services at rates approved by state regulators.
Wastewater ServicesSewage collection and treatment operations.This provides a steady, regulated secondary revenue stream that complements water services.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-28
When After Market
Estimate 1.22
Actual 1.05

Profitability

Profit Margin 12.78%
Operating Margin (TTM) 31.13%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 2.54%
Return on Equity (TTM) 7.61%

Valuation

Trailing PE 22.49
Forward PE 18.45
Enterprise Value 4.74B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.97
Enterprise Value 4.74B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.97
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.41
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 12.32
Shares Outstanding 62.88M
Shares Floating 62.38M
Shares Outstanding 62.88M
Shares Floating 62.38M
Percent Insiders 0.63
Percent Institutions 94.36

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.