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U.S. Water Utilities Industry Analysis

UpdatedFeb 23, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies17
  • 7D-2.6%
  • 3M-0.5%
  • 1Y0.3%
  • YTD0.7%

Over the last 7 days, the Water Utilities industry has dropped 2.6%, driven by American Water Works Company declining 3.1%. In contrast, Cadiz has gained 8.1%. Over the last year, the industry has been flat overall. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 8.6% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 23 Feb 2026US$47.2bUS$10.6bUS$2.2b21.9x21.1x4.5x
Wed, 21 Jan 2026US$48.5bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22.4x21.7x4.6x
Fri, 19 Dec 2025US$47.9bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22.1x21.4x4.6x
Sun, 16 Nov 2025US$50.6bUS$11.2bUS$2.1b22.3x23.5x4.5x
Tue, 14 Oct 2025US$54.1bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b22.4x25.9x5x
Thu, 11 Sep 2025US$49.5bUS$10.3bUS$2.2b22x22.8x4.8x
Sat, 09 Aug 2025US$50.5bUS$10.3bUS$2.2b22.1x23.2x4.9x
Mon, 07 Jul 2025US$48.3bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b23.1x22.8x4.8x
Wed, 04 Jun 2025US$49.3bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b23.8x23.2x4.9x
Fri, 02 May 2025US$51.3bUS$9.9bUS$2.2b20.6x23.7x5.2x
Sun, 30 Mar 2025US$50.1bUS$9.8bUS$2.1b21.7x23.5x5.1x
Tue, 25 Feb 2025US$46.3bUS$9.6bUS$2.1b20.1x22x4.8x
Thu, 23 Jan 2025US$44.5bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b20x22x4.7x
Sat, 21 Dec 2024US$44.6bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b22.7x22.1x4.7x
Mon, 18 Nov 2024US$48.2bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b24.3x23.8x5.1x
Wed, 16 Oct 2024US$50.1bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b23.4x25.5x5.5x
Fri, 13 Sep 2024US$50.6bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b24x25.7x5.5x
Sun, 11 Aug 2024US$49.7bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b23.9x25.2x5.4x
Tue, 09 Jul 2024US$45.9bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b22.1x23.4x5.1x
Thu, 06 Jun 2024US$46.7bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b21.7x23.8x5.2x
Sat, 04 May 2024US$45.3bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b22.3x23x5x
Mon, 01 Apr 2024US$44.2bUS$8.9bUS$1.8b22.9x24.8x4.9x
Wed, 28 Feb 2024US$42.3bUS$8.9bUS$1.8b22.7x24x4.7x
Fri, 26 Jan 2024US$44.5bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b25.4x25.7x4.9x
Sun, 24 Dec 2023US$48.0bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b28x27.7x5.3x
Tue, 21 Nov 2023US$47.4bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b27.9x27.4x5.2x
Thu, 19 Oct 2023US$43.0bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b25.3x25.4x4.8x
Sat, 16 Sep 2023US$49.2bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b29.9x29x5.5x
Mon, 14 Aug 2023US$50.5bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b29.6x29.8x5.7x
Wed, 12 Jul 2023US$50.4bUS$8.7bUS$1.6b33.5x31.5x5.8x
Fri, 09 Jun 2023US$53.0bUS$8.7bUS$1.6b34.5x33.1x6.1x
Sun, 07 May 2023US$52.9bUS$8.6bUS$1.6b34.3x33.2x6.1x
Tue, 04 Apr 2023US$52.3bUS$8.5bUS$1.6b32.7x32.6x6.1x
Thu, 02 Mar 2023US$48.6bUS$8.5bUS$1.6b31.1x30.5x5.7x
Price to Earnings Ratio

30.5x


Total Market Cap: US$48.6bTotal Earnings: US$1.6bTotal Revenue: US$8.5bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Water Utilities Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 25.3x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are pessimistic on the American Water Utilities industry, indicating that they anticipate long term growth rates will be lower than they have historically.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 21.1x which is lower than its 3-year average PE of 25.3x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 5.1x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 4.5x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Water Utilities industry have grown 12% 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 Market1.04%
Utilities-0.57%
Water Utilities-2.57%
Water-2.57%
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
CDZI CadizUS$5.318.1%
+US$33.2m		16.4%PS27.6x
HTO H2O AmericaUS$55.190.5%
+US$10.7m		4.6%PE18.1x

Latest News

MSEX
US$54.13
Middlesex Water
7D
-2.3%
1Y
6.2%
AWR
US$72.94
American States Water
7D
-2.6%
1Y
-3.3%
YORW
US$32.73
York Water
7D
-2.2%
1Y
-1.1%
AWK
US$129.37
American Water Works Company
7D
-3.1%
1Y
-2.5%
GWRS
US$8.92
Global Water Resources
7D
-2.9%
1Y
-19.9%

GWRS: Higher Expected Margins And Revenue Will Balance Lower Future P/E

Analysts have reduced their price target on Global Water Resources to $9.60 from $13.00, as updated assumptions reflect higher projected revenue growth and profit margins alongside a lower expected future P/E multiple and a slightly higher discount rate. Valuation Changes Fair Value: reduced from $13.00 to $9.60, a significant cut to the implied share valuation.
WTRG
US$38.68
Essential Utilities
7D
-2.6%
1Y
5.8%
CWT
US$45.75
California Water Service Group
7D
-1.7%
1Y
-0.04%

CWT: Long Dividend Streak And Higher 2026 Payouts Will Support Upside

Analysts have inched their price target on California Water Service Group up by about $0.33 to roughly $52.00, reflecting updated assumptions around discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E expectations. What's in the News Declared its 324th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.3350 per common share, payable on February 20, 2026, to stockholders of record as of February 9, 2026 (Key Developments) The Board of Directors announced an intent to set the 2026 annual dividend at $1.34 per common share, compared with a $1.20 annual dividend and a $0.04 special dividend paid in 2025 (Key Developments) These dividend actions highlight the ongoing use of regular quarterly payouts as a way to return cash to shareholders alongside occasional special dividends (Key Developments) Valuation Changes Fair Value has edged up from $51.67 to $52.00, a small adjustment that keeps the implied value range essentially unchanged.
HTO
US$55.19
H2O America
7D
0.5%
1Y
4.6%
CDZI
US$5.31
Cadiz
7D
8.1%
1Y
16.4%
PCYO
US$10.74
Pure Cycle
7D
-4.0%
1Y
-6.5%