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U.S. Water Utilities Industry Analysis

UpdatedJun 08, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies18
  • 7D2.6%
  • 3M-4.3%
  • 1Y-6.1%
  • YTD-2.1%

The Water Utilities industry is up 2.6% in the last week, with American Water Works Company up 1.1%. Meanwhile, Cadiz actually underperformed within the industry, shrinking 12% in the last week. In the past year, the industry is down 6.1%. 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
Tue, 09 Jun 2026US$46.3bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b22.9x22x4.3x
Thu, 07 May 2026US$46.4bUS$10.8bUS$2.2b22.1x21.5x4.3x
Sat, 04 Apr 2026US$50.2bUS$10.7bUS$2.2b23.3x23.1x4.7x
Mon, 02 Mar 2026US$48.9bUS$10.7bUS$2.2b22.4x22.5x4.6x
Wed, 28 Jan 2026US$47.5bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b21.9x21.2x4.5x
Fri, 26 Dec 2025US$47.1bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22x21x4.5x
Sun, 23 Nov 2025US$47.7bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b21.4x21.3x4.5x
Tue, 21 Oct 2025US$55.5bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b23.8x26.6x5.1x
Thu, 18 Sep 2025US$50.7bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b21.9x24.1x4.6x
Sat, 16 Aug 2025US$50.5bUS$10.3bUS$2.2b22.1x23.2x4.9x
Mon, 14 Jul 2025US$48.7bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b22.8x23x4.9x
Wed, 11 Jun 2025US$48.5bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b23.9x22.9x4.8x
Fri, 09 May 2025US$51.1bUS$9.8bUS$2.1b21.5x24.3x5.2x
Sun, 06 Apr 2025US$50.4bUS$9.8bUS$2.1b21.4x23.6x5.2x
Tue, 04 Mar 2025US$47.3bUS$9.8bUS$2.1b20.7x22x4.8x
Thu, 30 Jan 2025US$44.7bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b20.5x22.1x4.8x
Sat, 28 Dec 2024US$45.2bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b22.3x22.4x4.8x
Mon, 25 Nov 2024US$49.2bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b24.5x24.3x5.2x
Wed, 23 Oct 2024US$50.0bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b23.3x25.4x5.5x
Fri, 20 Sep 2024US$51.3bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b24.5x26.1x5.6x
Sun, 18 Aug 2024US$49.8bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b24.3x25.3x5.4x
Tue, 16 Jul 2024US$49.2bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b23.1x25x5.4x
Thu, 13 Jun 2024US$45.2bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b21.2x23x5x
Sat, 11 May 2024US$47.8bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b23.7x24.4x5.3x
Mon, 08 Apr 2024US$42.7bUS$8.9bUS$1.8b21.8x23.9x4.8x
Wed, 06 Mar 2024US$43.6bUS$8.9bUS$1.8b23.6x24.6x4.9x
Fri, 02 Feb 2024US$45.4bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b25.5x26.2x5x
Sun, 31 Dec 2023US$47.9bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b27.7x27.7x5.3x
Tue, 28 Nov 2023US$47.3bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b28x27.4x5.2x
Thu, 26 Oct 2023US$42.5bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b25.1x25.1x4.8x
Sat, 23 Sep 2023US$46.9bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b28x27.7x5.3x
Mon, 21 Aug 2023US$49.5bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b29.9x29.2x5.5x
Wed, 19 Jul 2023US$51.1bUS$8.7bUS$1.6b33x31.8x5.9x
Fri, 16 Jun 2023US$51.9bUS$8.7bUS$1.6b35.2x32.4x6x
Price to Earnings Ratio

32.4x


Total Market Cap: US$51.9bTotal 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 24.4x202420252026
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 24.4x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 5.0x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 4.3x.
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-2.49%
Utilities1.74%
Water Utilities2.57%
Water2.57%
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
AWK American Water Works CompanyUS$122.491.1%
+US$265.6m		-12.4%PE21.7x
WTRG Essential UtilitiesUS$36.651.1%
+US$113.5m		-3.3%PE18.7x
CWT California Water Service GroupUS$45.132.9%
+US$76.0m		-2.2%PE22.7x
AWR American States WaterUS$76.890.6%
+US$19.2m		-0.8%PE22.6x
MSEX Middlesex WaterUS$52.621.6%
+US$15.6m		-6.5%PE22.3x

Latest News

HTO
US$56.19
H2O America
7D
-1.4%
1Y
6.9%
Narrative Update • Jun 07

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

Analysts have trimmed their price target for H2O America to about $63.71 from roughly $64.33. This reflects updated assumptions for a slightly higher discount rate, modestly different revenue growth and profit margin expectations, and a higher projected future P/E multiple.
CWT
US$45.13
California Water Service Group
7D
2.9%
1Y
-2.2%
Narrative Update • Jun 07

CWT: Future Rate Mechanisms And Nexus Acquisition Will Support Regulated Revenue

Narrative Update on California Water Service Group Analysts have kept their price target for California Water Service Group steady at about $51.67, reflecting unchanged views on fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E assumptions. What's in the News California Water Service Group reported first quarter 2026 earnings that missed analyst estimates, with higher costs cited as a key factor.
WTRG
US$36.65
Essential Utilities
7D
1.1%
1Y
-3.3%
Narrative Update • Jun 06

WTRG: Merger Progress And Steady Assumptions Will Guide Balanced Future Outlook

Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for Essential Utilities slightly higher, from $40.40 to $40.80. This reflects updated price targets around $43 and views that the planned American Water merger, along with the company's stable credit profile and lower risk growth plan, support some additional upside potential.
AWR
US$76.89
American States Water
7D
0.6%
1Y
-0.8%
Narrative Update • Jun 06

AWR: Fair Outlook Will Balance Leaner Margins With Higher Future P/E

Analysts have trimmed their price target on American States Water from $76 to $76.0. This reflects updated assumptions for slightly lower revenue growth, a modestly lower profit margin, and a marginally higher future P/E multiple and discount rate. What's in the News American States Water has scheduled a Board meeting for February 10, 2026.
GWRS
US$7.05
Global Water Resources
7D
-4.5%
1Y
-33.0%
AWK
US$122.49
American Water Works Company
7D
1.1%
1Y
-12.4%
CWCO
US$29.44
Consolidated Water
7D
-2.0%
1Y
4.0%
Narrative Update • Jun 02

CWCO: Acquisition-Focused Expansion And Share Capital Flexibility Will Drive Future Upside

Analysts have kept their price target for Consolidated Water steady at $43.00, citing unchanged assumptions around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E as the key reasons for holding the line. What's in the News Consolidated Water is actively seeking acquisitions, with management highlighting interest in desalination and water infrastructure projects in the Caribbean and North America, as stated on the First Quarter 2026 Operating and Financial Results call.
CDZI
US$4.06
Cadiz
7D
-13.6%
1Y
30.5%
PCYO
US$10.40
Pure Cycle
7D
-1.0%
1Y
-1.1%
MSEX
US$52.62
Middlesex Water
7D
1.6%
1Y
-6.5%
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
YORW
US$29.69
York Water
7D
0.5%
1Y
-7.8%
Analysis Article • May 18

York Water's (NASDAQ:YORW) Profits May Not Reveal Underlying Issues

The York Water Company's ( NASDAQ:YORW ) robust recent earnings didn't do much to move the stock. We think this is due...
ARTN.A
US$32.52
Artesian Resources
7D
0.5%
1Y
-3.2%