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California Water Service Group(CWT)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$46.17
09/25/2026
(24-hour delay)

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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CWT

09/25/2026: CWT (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

California Water Service Group is a prominent US-listed water utility that provides essential water and wastewater services primarily in California. The company is known for its steady, regulated business model, which has historically generated reliable cash flows and funded consistent dividend growth for shareholders. Its main growth strategy involves the consolidation of smaller, fragmented water systems alongside significant infrastructure reinvestment. Investors should remain mindful of risks including regulatory rate case outcomes, extreme drought conditions, and the capital-intensive nature of its infrastructure operations. This stock is well-suited for dividend-focused and low-risk investors who prioritize stability over rapid growth and can monitor the evolving regulatory landscape.

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 fitCWT is a stable utility, not a high-growth technology or aggressive expansion stock.
Momentum investorWeak fitThis stock typically lacks the rapid price velocity required for momentum strategies.
Value investorMixed fitValuation is often tied to regulated rate bases, which may not offer traditional deep-value upside.
Dividend investorStrong fitCWT is a reliable, long-term dividend payer suited for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorStrong fitThe regulated nature of the business provides lower relative volatility compared to the broader market.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowAs a regulated utility, the stock generally exhibits lower price swings than market indices.
Valuation riskMediumThe stock can become overvalued relative to interest rate environments, which compete for yield.
Competition risk (utility consolidation)MediumIncreased competition for acquisitions can drive up purchase multiples and pressure margins.
Business qualityStrongThe company provides an essential service with limited competition in its specific franchise areas.
Dividend incomeStrongThe company has a long history of reliable dividend payments.
Execution riskMediumSuccess relies heavily on timely and favorable regulatory rate case approvals.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

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 -18.99%
Avg. Invested days 36
Today’s Advisory PASS
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 09/25/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CWT receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, and weak price momentum.

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%), soft 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 98.3% and approximately 99.2% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.64%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 16.67%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 6.94%
Amundi 5.61%
T. Rowe Price Investment Management,Inc. 5.53%
State Street Corp 5.02%

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. Strong cash conversion and healthy margins support the rating, although capital efficiency remains below the highest tier.

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 2.84B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 20.63
1Y Target Price 53.75
Price to earnings Ratio 20.63
1Y Target Price 53.75
Volume (30-day avg) 490.9K shares
Beta 0.49
52 Weeks Range 40.39 - 53.46
Updated Date 09/25/2026
52 Weeks Range 40.39 - 53.46
Updated Date 09/25/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 2.76%
Basic EPS (TTM) 2.23

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Regulated Water OperationsWater sales and service fees to residential and business customers.The company makes money by delivering water to your home, with prices set by state regulators.
Wastewater ServicesCollecting and treating sewage for local communities.It provides essential waste management services, creating a steady, regulated revenue stream.
Geography: CaliforniaThe vast majority of assets and revenue are concentrated in the California market.Most of the company's performance is tied to the regulatory and environmental climate of California.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 20.63
Forward PE 17.45
Enterprise Value 4.48B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.7
Enterprise Value 4.48B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.7
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.32
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 12.17
Shares Outstanding 61.84M
Shares Floating 61.34M
Shares Outstanding 61.84M
Shares Floating 61.34M
Percent Insiders 0.64
Percent Institutions 98.29

Icon representing Upturn AI-generated SWOT analysis summary Upturn AI Summary

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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.

About California Water Service Group

Exchange NYSE
Headquarters San Jose, CA, United States
IPO Launch date 1990-03-26
Chairman, President & CEO Mr. Martin A. Kropelnicki
Sector Utilities
Industry Utilities - Regulated Water
Full time employees 1336
Full time employees 1336

California Water Service Group, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas. It is involved in the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution, and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public, and irrigation uses, as well as for fire protection services. The company offers its services to approximately 500,000 customer connections in 20 separate districts; approximately 6,800 water and wastewater customer connections on the islands of Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii; approximately 38,500 customer connections in the Tacoma, Olympia, Graham, Spanaway, Puyallup, Rainier, Yelm, and Gig Harbor areas; and approximately 11,800 water and wastewater customer connections in Rio Communities, Rio Del Oro, Meadow Lake, Indian Hills, Squaw Valley, Elephant Butte, Morningstar, Sandia Knolls, Juan Tomas, Monterey, and Cypress Gardens systems. The company also engages in the provision of non-regulated water-related services, including operating of municipally owned water systems, privately owned water, and recycled water distribution systems; water system operation, meter reading, and billing services to private companies and municipalities; leasing of communication antenna sites on its properties; and billing of optional third-party insurance programs to its residential customers. In addition, it provides wastewater collection and treatment services. California Water Service Group was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.