American Water Works Company Dividends and Buybacks
Dividend criteria checks 4/6
American Water Works Company is a dividend paying company with a current yield of 2.84% that is well covered by earnings. Next payment date is on 2nd June, 2026 with an ex-dividend date of 12th May, 2026.
Key information
2.8%
Dividend yield
n/a
Buyback Yield
| Total Shareholder Yield | n/a |
| Future Dividend Yield | 3.2% |
| Dividend Growth | 8.8% |
| Next dividend pay date | 02 Jun 26 |
| Ex dividend date | 12 May 26 |
| Dividend per share | n/a |
| Payout ratio | 59% |
Recent dividend and buyback updates
Recent updates
Narrative Update • Apr 23
AWK: Governance Changes And Steady Execution Will Support A Neutral Yet Guarded Outlook
Narrative Update Analysts have lifted the blended price target for American Water Works Company by about $1 to roughly $139, citing updated views on long term revenue growth, profit margin resilience, and a modestly higher future P/E outlook informed by recent research from Wells Fargo, Truist, and Barclays. Analyst Commentary Recent research points to a cautiously constructive stance on American Water Works Company, with price target changes and a neutral initiation reflecting a balance between confidence in the business model and awareness of execution and valuation risks.Narrative Update • Apr 08
AWK: Essential Utilities Merger Prospects Will Support A Neutral Yet Guarded Outlook
Analysts have inched their fair value estimate for American Water Works Company up to $138.50 from $137.70, reflecting updated assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E, as well as recent research that highlights potential upside if the proposed Essential Utilities merger ultimately goes through. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research signals a more balanced view on American Water Works Company, with some prior concerns seen as already reflected in the share price and the proposed Essential Utilities merger emerging as a key swing factor for valuation and execution risk.Narrative Update • Mar 24
AWK: Pending Essential Utilities Merger Will Shape Neutral Yet Balanced Outlook
Analysts recently raised their price target on American Water Works Company to $139 from $117, highlighting their view that earlier concerns are already reflected in the stock. They also noted that these concerns could be further addressed if the pending Essential Utilities merger is ultimately approved.Narrative Update • Mar 09
AWK: Neutral Stance And Merger Vote Will Shape Fairly Balanced Outlook
Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for American Water Works Company to $137.70 from $138.40, reflecting updated assumptions around revenue growth, profitability and future P/E multiples in light of recent research that highlights both prior concerns and potential benefits if the Essential Utilities merger is ultimately approved. Analyst Commentary Recent research has shifted tone on American Water Works, with some prior concerns seen as already reflected in the share price and more attention now on how the proposed Essential Utilities merger could reshape the risk and reward profile.Seeking Alpha • Feb 27
American Water Works: Pick Up This Future Dividend Aristocrat Now
Summary American Water Works is a real-life version of Monopoly's Water Works, returning steady and growing dividends to its shareholders for 17 years straight. AWK's $19 billion to $20 billion five-year capex plan (not including Essential Utilities) should power solid adjusted EPS growth. The water utility's debt-to-capital ratio remains below its long-term target, and it had almost $1.2 billion of liquidity to close out 2025. AWK's shares are priced 10% below my fair value estimate. The water utility has a path to nearly 11% annual total returns by the end of 2031. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaNarrative Update • Feb 22
AWK: Merger Vote And Neutral Rating Will Frame A Balanced Outlook
Analysts have inched their price target for American Water Works Company slightly lower from $138.70 to $138.40, reflecting updated views on revenue, profit margins and future P/E assumptions, while acknowledging that potential merger approval could reduce some of the key risks they previously highlighted. Analyst Commentary Bullish Takeaways Bullish analysts see the move to a Neutral stance and the shift in target toward about $139 as a signal that earlier concerns around valuation and risk are now more fully reflected in the share price.Narrative Update • Feb 08
AWK: Essential Utilities Merger Path Will Shape A More Constructive Outlook
Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for American Water Works Company from $143.00 to $138.70, citing slightly higher discount rate assumptions, a modestly lower future P/E outlook, and updated expectations around revenue growth, margins, and the potential impact of the Essential Utilities merger. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research has focused heavily on how the proposed Essential Utilities merger could reshape the risk and reward profile for American Water Works Company.Narrative Update • Jan 12
AWK: Merger Path And EPS Guidance Will Shape A Measured Outlook
Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for American Water Works Company to $143 from about $143.78, reflecting slightly softer revenue growth assumptions, a higher discount rate, and a modestly lower future P/E multiple, even as they factor in merger potential highlighted in recent rating and price target changes across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on American Water Works Company reflects a mixed but generally balanced stance, with several firms resetting ratings and targets around the proposed merger with Essential Utilities and broader sector views on utilities.Narrative Update • Oct 27
Regulatory Reforms And Demand Trends Will Sustain Utilities Sector Momentum
Analysts have modestly increased their fair value estimate for American Water Works Company from $141.11 to $143.78 per share. They cite solid sector fundamentals and ongoing earnings growth prospects as the reasons for this adjustment.Narrative Update • Sep 21
Urbanization And Regulatory Reforms Will Drive Water Utility Expansion
The marginal decrease in American Water Works Company's Future P/E multiple, while revenue growth forecasts remain stable, has led to a slight downward revision in its consensus analyst price target to $141.11. What's in the News American Water Works Company completed a $1 billion follow-on equity offering, issuing 7,042,254 common shares at $142 each with a $2.343 discount per share.Analysis Article • Jul 27
Is American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) Worth US$140 Based On Its Intrinsic Value?
Key Insights The projected fair value for American Water Works Company is US$107 based on Dividend Discount Model...Analysis Article • Jul 02
Returns At American Water Works Company (NYSE:AWK) Appear To Be Weighed Down
If you're looking for a multi-bagger, there's a few things to keep an eye out for. Firstly, we'll want to see a proven...Seeking Alpha • Apr 16
American Water Works Is Fairly Valued But Debt A Concern, Hold Maintained
Summary We are maintaining a hold rating on American Water Works due to shares selling at a fair valuation, insider selling, a potential pullback, low dividend yield, debt and other factors. The stock is not very volatile because institutions own a vast majority of shares, but there are concerns about the debt-to-equity ratio. Clean water and wastewater services and infrastructure development make American Water Works a long term worthwhile hold and potentially a growth investment. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Feb 03
American Water Works: A Compelling Buying Opportunity On Long-Term Return Potential
Summary American Water Works, a utility company that provides water and wastewater services in the IUS, is now a $24 billion (by market cap) water utility giant. AWK estimates that its monthly water bill to its customers is less than 1% of median household income. The company increased its dividend for 17 consecutive years, with a 10-year dividend growth rate of 9.5%. American Water Works increased its revenue from $3 billion to $4.2 billion in FY 2023, a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Dec 19
American Water Works: Time To Buy This Water Utility Now
Summary Since my previous article, shares of American Water Works have declined 13%. The water utility reaffirmed its long-term diluted EPS growth outlook of 7% to 9% annually. AWK's debt-to-capital ratio remains below its long-term target of 60% or better. The water utility's shares could be priced at a 14% discount to fair value. AWK stock could be poised to deliver approximately 30% cumulative total returns through 2026. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Oct 11
Don't Dive Into American Water Works Company
Summary American Water Works is a moderately profitable utility, with growth driven by acquisitions. The stock is overvalued compared to sector medians of the utilities industry. Analysts predict AWK's share price could reach $142-144, but we doubt it will break $140; the stock remains a hold opportunity. Risks include high PE ratios, low dividend yield, rising debt, and hedge fund selling; another quarterly miss could lead to a price drop. Despite essential services and growth potential, AWK's low dividend yield and price volatility make it a questionable investment for retail value investors. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
New Narrative • Aug 20
Strategic Acquisitions And Infrastructure Investments Poised To Amplify Revenue Streams
Aggressive investment and acquisition strategies indicate potential for significant growth and revenue expansion not yet fully valued by the market.Seeking Alpha • Jul 17
American Water Works: Attractively Valued Yet Not Fully Appreciated By The Market
Summary American Water Works has a history of growing cash returns to shareholders. Based on our estimates we view shares as attractively valued. We believe opportunities for American Water Works to further enhance its revenues and profitability are not fully appreciated by the market. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • May 23
American Water Works Will Benefit From Future Interest Rate Cuts
Summary American Water Works Company presents an attractive entry as the price has been suppressed alongside the rest of the utility sector. AWK has a history of growing its dividend on an annual basis and has transparent plans for capital investments, including infrastructure improvements and acquisitions. While AWK's current dividend yield of 2.3% may not be high, its dividend growth prospects and potential for capital appreciation make it an attractive candidate for a dividend growth portfolio. Revenue has increased by 7.7% YoY and EPS growth has a targeted range between 7 - 9%. Based on my dividend discount calculation, I estimate a fair value of $150 per share. This presents a potential upside of nearly 12%. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • May 04
American Water Works: A Dividend Compounder To Buy Now
Summary In my portfolio, I prefer dividend growth stocks with dividend growth that I can easily predict. American Water Works' most recent dividend hike was in line with my estimate. The water utility has a viable path to keep delivering high-single-digit annual diluted EPS growth. For its industry, AWK's financial health is robust. Shares of the water utility could be trading at a 12% discount to fair value. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaUpcoming Dividend Payment
Stability and Growth of Payments
Fetching dividends data
Stable Dividend: AWK's dividends per share have been stable in the past 10 years.
Growing Dividend: AWK's dividend payments have increased over the past 10 years.
Dividend Yield vs Market
| American Water Works Company Dividend Yield vs Market |
|---|
| Segment | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|
| Company (AWK) | 2.8% |
| Market Bottom 25% (US) | 1.4% |
| Market Top 25% (US) | 4.2% |
| Industry Average (Water Utilities) | 3.1% |
| Analyst forecast (AWK) (up to 3 years) | 3.2% |
Notable Dividend: AWK's dividend (2.84%) is higher than the bottom 25% of dividend payers in the US market (1.39%).
High Dividend: AWK's dividend (2.84%) is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the US market (4.21%).
Earnings Payout to Shareholders
Earnings Coverage: With its reasonable payout ratio (58.6%), AWK's dividend payments are covered by earnings.
Cash Payout to Shareholders
Cash Flow Coverage: AWK is paying a dividend but the company has no free cash flows.
Discover strong dividend paying companies
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/05/07 11:43 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/05/07 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/03/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
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Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
American Water Works Company, Inc. is covered by 30 analysts. 9 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| John Staszak | Argus Research Company |
| Benjamin Kallo | Baird |
| Theodore Brooks | Barclays |