Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Boosts Stake in American Water Works Company, Inc. $AWK

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) by 11.3% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,452,971 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 249,504 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in American Water Works were worth $335,542,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Reflection Asset Management bought a new position in American Water Works during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its stake in shares of American Water Works by 71.7% in the fourth quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 194 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the period. Ascentis Independent Advisors bought a new stake in shares of American Water Works in the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of American Water Works by 82.6% during the fourth quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 199 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nemes Rush Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Water Works during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 86.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting American Water Works

Here are the key news stories impacting American Water Works this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Pennsylvania American Water received PUC approval for a rate adjustment, a favorable regulatory outcome that can support future revenue growth. PUC Approves Rate Adjustment for Pennsylvania American Water
• Positive Sentiment: Pennsylvania American Water was awarded more than $64 million in PENNVEST grants and low-interest loans for infrastructure upgrades, which should aid capital investment while helping keep customer costs down. Pennsylvania American Water Awarded PENNVEST Funding
• Positive Sentiment: American Water highlighted workforce development, environmental grants, and infrastructure/wildfire mitigation projects, reinforcing its long-term utility investment story and operational execution. American Water Builds Workforce of Tomorrow West Virginia American Water Recognizes Grantees California American Water Highlights Vegetation Reduction Efforts
• Neutral Sentiment: American Water also said it will participate in NACWA’s Utility Leadership Conference, a routine industry engagement with limited immediate stock impact. American Water Provides Expertise at NACWA’s 2026 Utility Leadership Conference
• Negative Sentiment: Barclays reiterated a “Sell” rating on AWK, and multiple commentary pieces questioned whether the stock looks expensive or overvalued, which may cap gains. Barclays Remains a Sell on American Water (AWK) American Water (AWK) Stock Gets Fair Value Bump American Water Works (AWK) Stock Looks Overvalued On Dividends Yet Fair On Earnings

American Water Works Stock Up 3.9%

Shares of AWK stock opened at $134.20 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 12 month low of $120.57 and a 12 month high of $147.87. The stock has a market cap of $26.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $127.36 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $130.61.

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The utilities provider reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.09). American Water Works had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 21.17%.The business had revenue of $1.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.05 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. American Water Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.020-6.120 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 6.08 earnings per share for the current year.

American Water Works Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 12th were given a dividend of $0.895 per share. This represents a $3.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. This is a boost from American Water Works’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 12th. American Water Works’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.48%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AWK has been the topic of several research reports. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of American Water Works from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of American Water Works from $138.00 to $147.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Bank of America reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of American Water Works in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of American Water Works in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on American Water Works from $124.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, American Water Works currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $140.60.

American Water Works Company Profile

American Water Works Company, Inc (NYSE: AWK) is a publicly traded utility company that provides water and wastewater services in the United States. Its core business is the operation, management and maintenance of regulated water and wastewater systems that deliver potable water, collect and treat wastewater, and provide related customer services to residential, commercial and industrial customers as well as municipalities. The company’s operations include water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, meter reading and billing, emergency repairs, and long-term infrastructure planning and capital project execution.

In addition to its regulated utility operations, American Water offers complementary nonregulated services and solutions that support system reliability and customer needs.