AWK
UtilitiesAmerican Water Works Company, Inc. · Regulated Water · $24B
What is American Water Works Company, Inc.?
American Water Works is the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility in the United States, serving roughly 3.4 million active customers across 14 states.
American Water Works delivers drinking water and wastewater treatment services to residential, commercial, industrial, and government customers. It also operates water and wastewater systems on military installations and manages municipal facilities under contract. Revenue flows primarily from regulated utility rates set by state authorities, providing a predictable, recurring income stream.
The company was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey.
- Regulated water and wastewater services
- Military installation water management
- Municipal contract operations
- Wastewater treatment and collection
Is AWK a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates AWK as Below Average overall.
AWK's strongest pillar is Moat, reflecting the natural monopoly characteristics typical of regulated water utilities — competitors rarely enter markets where infrastructure is already in place. Quality and Growth both register as Neutral, consistent with the steady but unspectacular profile of a large regulated utility.
The Risk pillar is rated Weak, which warrants attention from investors focused on balance-sheet durability and regulatory exposure.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does AWK pay dividends?
Yes — American Water Works Company, Inc. pays a dividend.
American Water Works pays a regular dividend, a common feature among regulated utilities that generate predictable cash flows from rate-based revenue. The dividend reflects the company's ability to return capital to shareholders while funding ongoing infrastructure investment. Income-oriented investors often view regulated water utilities as relatively stable dividend payers.
When does AWK report earnings?
American Water Works reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, standard for US-listed equities.
As a regulated utility, AWK's quarterly results tend to reflect rate adjustments, capital investment activity, and weather-related demand shifts rather than dramatic swings. Revenue visibility is relatively high given the regulated structure, though infrastructure spending can weigh on near-term free cash flow.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit American Water Works' investor relations page directly.
AWK Price History
-6.1% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in American Water Works Company, Inc.?
Based on American Water Works Company, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does American Water Works do?
American Water Works provides drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 3.4 million active customers across 14 states. It also manages water systems on military bases and operates municipal facilities under contract, serving around 14 million people in total.
Does AWK pay dividends?
Yes, AWK pays a regular dividend. Regulated utilities like American Water Works typically generate stable, rate-based cash flows that support consistent dividend payments. Investors should check the company's investor relations page for the current dividend schedule.
When does AWK report earnings?
AWK reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For the exact timing of upcoming earnings releases, refer to American Water Works' investor relations page.
Is AWK a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates AWK as Below Average overall. Its Moat pillar is Good, reflecting regulated utility characteristics, but the Risk pillar is Weak. Whether AWK fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and income objectives. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is AWK overvalued?
AWK's Valuation pillar is rated Neutral, suggesting the market is pricing the stock in line with its fundamentals rather than at a significant premium or discount. Pro members can view the detailed valuation metrics behind this rating.
What is AWK's market cap bracket?
American Water Works is a large-cap company, placing it among the more substantial publicly traded utilities in the United States.
Is AWK a long-term quality indicator?
As a long-term quality indicator, AWK scores Below Average on the UQS composite. Its Moat is Good — regulated water utilities rarely face direct competition — but the Weak Risk rating and Neutral Quality score suggest investors should examine the full profile before committing capital long-term.
How does AWK compare to its competitors?
AWK operates alongside other regulated water utilities such as Essential Utilities (WTRG), American States Water (AWR), and international peer SABESP (SBS). Each differs in geographic footprint, regulatory environment, and capital structure. UQS Score provides side-by-side pillar comparisons for Pro members.
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Pro Analysis
AWK — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2026 | 48.8 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 54.7 | 10.5 | 57.5 | -0.1 |
| May 23, 2026 | 48.9 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 54.9 | 10.5 | 57.6 | 0.0 |
| May 22, 2026 | 48.9 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 54.9 | 10.5 | 58.0 | -0.1 |
| May 21, 2026 | 49.0 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 54.9 | 10.5 | 58.5 | +0.1 |
| May 20, 2026 | 48.9 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 54.9 | 10.5 | 57.9 | 0.0 |
| May 16, 2026 | 48.9 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 54.9 | 10.5 | 57.8 | 0.0 |
| May 15, 2026 | 48.9 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 54.9 | 10.5 | 57.4 | +0.1 |
| May 13, 2026 | 48.8 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 54.9 | 10.5 | 57.0 | -0.2 |
| May 12, 2026 | 49.0 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 55.6 | 10.5 | 57.5 | -0.1 |
| May 11, 2026 | 49.1 | 48.8 | 62.0 | 55.6 | 10.5 | 57.7 | -1.7 |
AWK — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 48.8/100 (25%)American Water Works Company, Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 54.7/100 (20%)American Water Works Company, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 10.5/100 (15%)American Water Works Company, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 59.3/100 (15%)American Water Works Company, Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 62/100 (25%)American Water Works Company, Inc. has meaningful competitive advantages that should protect its market position. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for AWK.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the AWK UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for American Water Works Company, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses American Water Works Company, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether American Water Works Company, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.