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U.S. Water Utilities Industry Analysis

UpdatedJun 03, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies18
  • 7D0.2%
  • 3M-7.8%
  • 1Y-7.8%
  • YTD-2.6%

The Water Utilities is pretty flat in the last 7 days, but California Water Service Group has stood out, gaining 4.2%. Unfortunately though, the industry is down 7.8% over the past 12 months. 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
Wed, 03 Jun 2026US$45.1bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b22.8x21.5x4.1x
Fri, 01 May 2026US$48.3bUS$10.8bUS$2.2b22.4x22.3x4.5x
Sun, 29 Mar 2026US$49.3bUS$10.7bUS$2.2b22.4x22.7x4.6x
Tue, 24 Feb 2026US$47.2bUS$10.6bUS$2.2b22x21.1x4.5x
Thu, 22 Jan 2026US$47.7bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b22.3x21.3x4.5x
Sat, 20 Dec 2025US$47.6bUS$10.5bUS$2.2b21.8x21.3x4.5x
Mon, 17 Nov 2025US$50.6bUS$11.2bUS$2.1b22.3x23.5x4.5x
Wed, 15 Oct 2025US$53.1bUS$10.9bUS$2.1b22.5x25.4x4.9x
Fri, 12 Sep 2025US$49.1bUS$10.3bUS$2.2b22.4x22.6x4.8x
Sun, 10 Aug 2025US$50.8bUS$10.3bUS$2.2b22.1x23.4x4.9x
Tue, 08 Jul 2025US$48.3bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b22.8x22.8x4.8x
Thu, 05 Jun 2025US$49.2bUS$10.0bUS$2.1b23.4x23.2x4.9x
Sat, 03 May 2025US$51.0bUS$9.8bUS$2.1b21.6x24.2x5.2x
Mon, 31 Mar 2025US$50.1bUS$9.8bUS$2.1b21.7x23.5x5.1x
Wed, 26 Feb 2025US$46.6bUS$9.6bUS$2.1b20.8x22.2x4.9x
Fri, 24 Jan 2025US$42.8bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b20.1x21.1x4.5x
Sun, 22 Dec 2024US$45.1bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b22.7x22.3x4.8x
Tue, 19 Nov 2024US$48.2bUS$9.4bUS$2.0b24.2x23.8x5.1x
Thu, 17 Oct 2024US$50.6bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b23.9x25.7x5.5x
Sat, 14 Sep 2024US$50.9bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b24.5x25.9x5.6x
Mon, 12 Aug 2024US$49.7bUS$9.2bUS$2.0b23.9x25.2x5.4x
Wed, 10 Jul 2024US$45.8bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b22x23.3x5.1x
Fri, 07 Jun 2024US$46.4bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b21.5x23.6x5.1x
Sun, 05 May 2024US$45.9bUS$9.0bUS$2.0b22.3x23.4x5.1x
Tue, 02 Apr 2024US$44.2bUS$8.9bUS$1.8b22.7x24.8x4.9x
Thu, 29 Feb 2024US$42.6bUS$8.9bUS$1.8b22.8x24.2x4.8x
Sat, 27 Jan 2024US$45.2bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b25.2x26.1x5x
Mon, 25 Dec 2023US$48.0bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b28x27.7x5.3x
Wed, 22 Nov 2023US$47.4bUS$9.0bUS$1.7b27.6x27.4x5.2x
Fri, 20 Oct 2023US$42.6bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b25.2x25.1x4.8x
Sun, 17 Sep 2023US$49.2bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b29.6x29x5.5x
Tue, 15 Aug 2023US$50.7bUS$8.9bUS$1.7b30x29.9x5.7x
Thu, 13 Jul 2023US$51.4bUS$8.7bUS$1.6b33.6x32.1x5.9x
Sat, 10 Jun 2023US$52.8bUS$8.7bUS$1.6b34.4x32.9x6.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

32.9x


Total Market Cap: US$52.8bTotal 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 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 21.5x which is lower than its 3-year average PE of 24.4x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 5.0x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 4.1x.
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 Market1.22%
Utilities-2.98%
Water Utilities0.25%
Water0.25%
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
CWT California Water Service GroupUS$45.344.2%
+US$110.1m		-2.7%PE22.8x
AWR American States WaterUS$77.281.4%
+US$41.9m		-1.5%PE22.8x
CDZI CadizUS$4.855.9%
+US$22.7m		51.1%PS27.2x
PCYO Pure CycleUS$10.455.3%
+US$12.8m		2.2%PE17.9x
MSEX Middlesex WaterUS$52.711.2%
+US$11.7m		-8.2%PE22.4x

Latest News

AWK
US$123.68
American Water Works Company
7D
-0.1%
1Y
-12.8%
CWT
US$45.34
California Water Service Group
7D
4.2%
1Y
-2.7%
GWRS
US$7.10
Global Water Resources
7D
-8.2%
1Y
-30.0%
Narrative Update • Jun 01

GWRS: Future Rate Resolution Should Unlock Upside From Discounted Utility Valuation

Analysts now set the price target for Global Water Resources at $12.50, reduced from previous levels. The change reflects weaker Q4 results, higher operating costs, a delayed rate case, and a valuation adjustment intended to align assumed growth, margins, and future P/E with recent Street research.
AWR
US$77.28
American States Water
7D
1.4%
1Y
-1.5%
CDZI
US$4.85
Cadiz
7D
5.9%
1Y
51.1%
PCYO
US$10.45
Pure Cycle
7D
5.3%
1Y
2.2%
MSEX
US$52.71
Middlesex Water
7D
1.2%
1Y
-8.2%
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
WTRG
US$37.04
Essential Utilities
7D
-0.3%
1Y
-3.7%
Narrative Update • May 23

WTRG: Updated Discount Rate And P/E Assumptions Will Shape Steady Outlook

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Essential Utilities by $0.80 to $40.40, reflecting updated views on fair value, a slightly higher discount rate and modestly adjusted assumptions for revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E. Valuation Changes Fair Value: trimmed from $41.20 to $40.40, a small downward adjustment of about 1.9%.
HTO
US$57.65
H2O America
7D
0.05%
1Y
9.5%
CWCO
US$30.00
Consolidated Water
7D
-0.6%
1Y
9.0%
Seeking Alpha • May 19

Consolidated Water: Hawaii Delays Have Crushed Sentiment, But The Thesis Is Still Intact

Summary Consolidated Water's stock price has dropped 22% due to permitting delays in the Hawaii desalination project, the key near-term growth catalyst. Q1FY26 results reflect a temporary transition: revenue declined 11% YoY, but O&M recurring revenue and Bulk segment remained resilient, supporting margins. My revised thesis assumes Hawaii construction revenue starts in FY2027, offering a potential 27% annual total return if the project proceeds as expected. With high downside risk if Hawaii is cancelled, CWCO is now a high-risk, high-reward play best suited for patient, risk-tolerant investors. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
ARTN.A
US$32.59
Artesian Resources
7D
0.3%
1Y
-5.1%