Investing IdeasBrowse All StocksMarkets
Have your own idea? Try our Stock Screener
Header cover image

U.S. Water Utilities Industry Analysis

UpdatedJun 27, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies18
  • 7D5.9%
  • 3M-1.4%
  • 1Y0.6%
  • YTD3.2%

In the last week, the Water Utilities industry is up 3.8%, with American Water Works Company up 6.1%. In the same time, Cadiz was down 8.6%. The industry has been flat over the past 12 months despite the gain this week. Looking forward, 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
Sat, 27 Jun 2026US$47.9bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b23.5x22.8x4.4x
Mon, 25 May 2026US$46.3bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b22.2x22x4.2x
Wed, 22 Apr 2026US$49.0bUS$10.7bUS$2.2b23.2x22.6x4.6x
Fri, 20 Mar 2026US$49.1bUS$10.7bUS$2.2b21.9x22.6x4.6x
Sun, 15 Feb 2026US$48.4bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22.4x21.6x4.6x
Tue, 13 Jan 2026US$46.6bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22.2x20.8x4.4x
Thu, 11 Dec 2025US$45.9bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b21.9x20.5x4.4x
Sat, 08 Nov 2025US$50.1bUS$11.1bUS$2.2b22.3x23.3x4.5x
Mon, 06 Oct 2025US$52.4bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b21.9x25.1x4.8x
Wed, 03 Sep 2025US$50.7bUS$10.3bUS$2.2b21.8x23.3x4.9x
Fri, 01 Aug 2025US$47.8bUS$10.2bUS$2.1b21.6x22.4x4.7x
Sun, 29 Jun 2025US$47.8bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b22.7x22.5x4.8x
Tue, 27 May 2025US$49.6bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b23.8x23.4x4.9x
Thu, 24 Apr 2025US$51.7bUS$9.8bUS$2.1b21.4x24.2x5.3x
Sat, 22 Mar 2025US$48.9bUS$9.7bUS$2.1b23.5x22.9x5x
Mon, 17 Feb 2025US$44.4bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b21.7x21.9x4.7x
Wed, 15 Jan 2025US$43.1bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b20.4x21.3x4.6x
Fri, 13 Dec 2024US$47.1bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b23.6x23.3x5x
Sun, 10 Nov 2024US$49.1bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b25.4x24.3x5.2x
Tue, 08 Oct 2024US$49.6bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b22.5x25.2x5.4x
Thu, 05 Sep 2024US$50.1bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b24.2x25.5x5.5x
Sat, 03 Aug 2024US$51.1bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b24.1x25.6x5.6x
Mon, 01 Jul 2024US$45.7bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b21.8x23.2x5.1x
Wed, 29 May 2024US$45.7bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b21.3x23.3x5.1x
Fri, 26 Apr 2024US$43.7bUS$9.1bUS$1.9b21.3x23.3x4.8x
Sun, 24 Mar 2024US$43.0bUS$8.9bUS$1.8b21.9x24.2x4.8x
Tue, 20 Feb 2024US$44.4bUS$9.1bUS$1.8b23.7x25.3x4.9x
Thu, 18 Jan 2024US$46.4bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b25.8x26.8x5.1x
Sat, 16 Dec 2023US$47.8bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b27.8x27.6x5.3x
Mon, 13 Nov 2023US$44.7bUS$9.1bUS$1.7b25.8x25.8x4.9x
Wed, 11 Oct 2023US$62.7bUS$13.9bUS$2.6b26.4x24.5x4.5x
Fri, 08 Sep 2023US$48.3bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b29.3x28.5x5.4x
Sun, 06 Aug 2023US$50.9bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b31.3x30.5x5.7x
Tue, 04 Jul 2023US$51.3bUS$8.7bUS$1.6b35.9x32x5.9x
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 3-year average PS ratio of 4.9x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 4.4x.
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-2.65%
Utilities3.29%
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$132.686.1%
+US$1.5b		-3.8%PE23.5x
WTRG Essential UtilitiesUS$38.655.3%
+US$553.1m		4.7%PE19.7x
CWT California Water Service GroupUS$49.088.6%
+US$232.2m		7.9%PE24.7x
AWR American States WaterUS$82.577.1%
+US$214.0m		8.1%PE24.3x
HTO H2O AmericaUS$60.697.1%
+US$167.4m		17.1%PE24.2x

Latest News

YORW
US$30.76
York Water
7D
4.2%
1Y
-3.4%
CWT
US$49.08
California Water Service Group
7D
8.6%
1Y
7.9%
HTO
US$60.69
H2O America
7D
7.1%
1Y
17.1%
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.
WTRG
US$38.65
Essential Utilities
7D
5.3%
1Y
4.7%
Narrative Update • Jun 25

WTRG: Merger Approvals And Stable Outlook Will Shape Measured Future Returns

Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for Essential Utilities to $39.80 from $40.80, citing updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E, alongside mixed signals from recent sector price target moves and the anticipated American Water merger. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Essential Utilities highlights both optimism around the planned American Water merger and caution about near term execution and valuation, giving investors a mixed but useful reference point as they weigh the stock against the updated fair value estimate.
CWCO
US$29.49
Consolidated Water
7D
-1.3%
1Y
-1.1%
AWR
US$82.57
American States Water
7D
7.1%
1Y
8.1%
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
6.1%
1Y
-3.8%
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
-8.6%
1Y
19.2%
MSEX
US$55.48
Middlesex Water
7D
6.6%
1Y
1.8%
Seeking Alpha • May 27

Middlesex Water: Not My Favorite Utility, Though Valuation Has Improved (Rating Upgrade)

Summary Middlesex Water has corrected sharply from a period of prior overvaluation. MSEX remains a slow-growing, defensive utility, though its operational results have improved a bit lately. Interest rate environment and rising bond yields continue to pressure Middlesex and peers, limiting upside despite improved fundamentals. I upgrade Middlesex Water to a hold, but I prefer larger water utilities or other defensive stocks at the present time. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
ARTN.A
US$33.62
Artesian Resources
7D
4.2%
1Y
-0.3%