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U.S. Water Utilities Industry Analysis

UpdatedJun 29, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies18
  • 7D5.9%
  • 3M-2.9%
  • 1Y0.6%
  • YTD3.2%

Over the last 7 days, the Water Utilities industry has risen 5.9%, driven by gains from American Water Works Company of 6.1%. During this same period, the Cadiz underperformed, falling 8.6%. Overall in the last year, the industry is flat. Earnings are forecast to grow by 10% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Water Utilities Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 29 Jun 2026US$48.8bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b23.5x23.2x4.5x
Wed, 27 May 2026US$46.3bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b22.1x22x4.2x
Fri, 24 Apr 2026US$48.3bUS$10.7bUS$2.2b23.7x22.3x4.5x
Sun, 22 Mar 2026US$48.6bUS$10.7bUS$2.2b21.7x22.4x4.5x
Tue, 17 Feb 2026US$48.4bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22.4x21.6x4.6x
Thu, 15 Jan 2026US$47.6bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22.6x21.3x4.5x
Sat, 13 Dec 2025US$46.6bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22.1x20.8x4.4x
Mon, 10 Nov 2025US$50.5bUS$11.1bUS$2.2b22.3x23.5x4.5x
Wed, 08 Oct 2025US$52.9bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b22.2x25.4x4.8x
Fri, 05 Sep 2025US$49.7bUS$10.3bUS$2.2b22.2x22.9x4.8x
Sun, 03 Aug 2025US$49.5bUS$10.3bUS$2.2b21.8x22.8x4.8x
Tue, 01 Jul 2025US$47.8bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b22.6x22.5x4.8x
Thu, 29 May 2025US$49.6bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b23.7x23.4x4.9x
Sat, 26 Apr 2025US$50.7bUS$9.8bUS$2.1b21x23.7x5.2x
Mon, 24 Mar 2025US$48.6bUS$9.7bUS$2.1b23.5x22.7x5x
Wed, 19 Feb 2025US$44.4bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b21.5x21.9x4.7x
Fri, 17 Jan 2025US$43.6bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b20.7x21.5x4.6x
Sun, 15 Dec 2024US$47.0bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b23.6x23.2x5x
Tue, 12 Nov 2024US$49.1bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b25x24.3x5.2x
Thu, 10 Oct 2024US$48.4bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b22.4x24.6x5.3x
Sat, 07 Sep 2024US$50.0bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b23.8x25.4x5.5x
Mon, 05 Aug 2024US$51.9bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b25.8x26x5.7x
Wed, 03 Jul 2024US$45.3bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b21.8x23.1x5x
Fri, 31 May 2024US$44.8bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b21.2x22.8x5x
Sun, 28 Apr 2024US$43.4bUS$9.1bUS$1.9b21.3x23.1x4.8x
Tue, 26 Mar 2024US$43.0bUS$8.9bUS$1.8b21.6x24.2x4.8x
Thu, 22 Feb 2024US$44.1bUS$9.1bUS$1.8b23.6x25.1x4.8x
Sat, 20 Jan 2024US$45.8bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b25.5x26.4x5.1x
Mon, 18 Dec 2023US$47.8bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b27.8x27.6x5.3x
Wed, 15 Nov 2023US$44.3bUS$9.1bUS$1.7b27.3x25.5x4.9x
Fri, 13 Oct 2023US$62.8bUS$13.9bUS$2.6b25.6x24.5x4.5x
Sun, 10 Sep 2023US$48.4bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b29.2x28.6x5.4x
Tue, 08 Aug 2023US$51.1bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b31.5x30.7x5.8x
Thu, 06 Jul 2023US$51.3bUS$8.7bUS$1.6b36.2x32x5.9x
Price to Earnings Ratio

32x


Total Market Cap: US$51.3bTotal Earnings: US$1.6bTotal Revenue: US$8.7bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Water Utilities Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 24.2x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are relatively neutral on the American Water Utilities industry at the moment, indicating that they anticipate long term growth rates to remain steady.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PE ratio of 24.2x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 4.9x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Water Utilities industry have grown 9.4% per year over the last three years.
  • Revenues for these companies have grown 7.7% per year.
  • This means that more sales are being generated by these companies overall, and subsequently their profits are increasing too.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.S. Utilities industry?

US Market-2.52%
Utilities3.32%
Water Utilities5.91%
Water5.91%
Industry PEThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.
Forecasted GrowthThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
AWK American Water Works CompanyUS$132.686.2%
+US$1.5b		-4.6%PE23.5x
WTRG Essential UtilitiesUS$38.655.4%
+US$558.8m		4.1%PE19.7x
CWT California Water Service GroupUS$49.088.6%
+US$232.2m		7.9%PE24.7x
AWR American States WaterUS$82.576.3%
+US$192.4m		7.7%PE24.3x
HTO H2O AmericaUS$60.697.0%
+US$166.9m		16.8%PE24.2x

Latest News

MSEX
US$55.48
Middlesex Water
7D
7.1%
1Y
2.4%
YORW
US$30.76
York Water
7D
4.3%
1Y
-2.7%
WTRG
US$38.65
Essential Utilities
7D
5.4%
1Y
4.1%
Seeking Alpha • Jun 27

Essential Utilities: Snatch Up This Dividend Champion Now

Summary After the upcoming dividend reset in its ongoing merger with American Water Works, Essential Utilities’ dividend growth will accelerate well beyond what it was doing independently. Joining forces with AWK, Essential Utilities will emerge as the most dominant regulated water utility in the United States. The company’s S&P credit rating is set to improve from A- with a positive outlook (considering the merger) to an A grade with a stable outlook. The stock is priced at a 12% discount to my revised fair value estimate. WTRG could realistically deliver 11%+ annual total returns through 2031. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
CWT
US$49.08
California Water Service Group
7D
8.6%
1Y
7.9%
HTO
US$60.69
H2O America
7D
7.0%
1Y
16.8%
Narrative Update • Jun 26

HTO: Steady Assumptions And Future P/E Will Support Balanced Outlook

Analysts kept their price target for H2O America steady at $63.71, citing unchanged assumptions for fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E in their updated models. What’s in the News for H2O America No recent news items for H2O America were identified in the provided primary news sources.
AWR
US$82.57
American States Water
7D
6.3%
1Y
7.7%
Narrative Update • Jun 24

AWR: Fair Outlook Balances Equity Issuance Overhang With Stable Dividend Track Record

Analysts have maintained their price target for American States Water at $76.00, indicating no changes to assumptions about fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, or future P/E expectations. What's in the News American States Water Company reported the successful completion of its US$200 million at the market equity offering program, fully utilizing the maximum aggregate offering capacity under the plan.
AWK
US$132.68
American Water Works Company
7D
6.2%
1Y
-4.6%
Seeking Alpha • Jun 24

American Water Works: 25% Total Return Potential By The End Of 2027 (Upgrade)

Summary American Water Works stands as the largest U.S. regulated water utility, benefiting from mandated infrastructure upgrades and industry consolidation. AWK plans $46–$48 billion in capital investments through 2035, driving 8%–9% annual rate base growth and supporting a robust 7.7% EPS CAGR through 2028. The stock trades at a forward P/E of 20.77, below its 10-year average, with a fair value estimate of $145 per share and a 2.8% secure dividend yield. AWK's growth is underpinned by regulatory mandates, strategic acquisitions, and a strong credit rating, despite risks from inflation and pending merger approvals. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
CDZI
US$3.72
Cadiz
7D
-7.0%
1Y
24.4%
ARTN.A
US$33.62
Artesian Resources
7D
4.6%
1Y
0.2%