American Water Works

AWK · NYSE

$135.79+$0.66 (+0.49%)TodayMarket closed · Oct 21, 4:58 AM ET

Prev close $135.13

AWK analyst rating

HoldConsensus of 9 analysts over the last 12 months. 11% rate it a buy.

Strong buy0
Buy1
Hold6
Underperform2
Sell0

12-month price target · 14 analysts

Average $144.62 (+6.5% upside)

Low: $129.28
Now: $135.79
High: $170.10

Upgrades and downgrades

The latest rating actions, newest first

AWK analyst upgrades, downgrades and rating actions
Firm	Date	Action	Rating	Price target	Hit rate
Barclays	Oct 19, 2026	Maintains	Underweight	$130.00 → $127.00	51%
UBS	Oct 16, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$162.00 → $153.00	53%
UBS	Sep 10, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$156.00 → $162.00	53%
Truist Securities	Aug 4, 2026	Maintains	Hold	$139.00 → $138.00	42%
Mizuho	Jul 31, 2026	Maintains	Neutral	$130.00 → $140.00	57%
Barclays	Jul 15, 2026	Maintains	Underweight	$124.00 → $130.00	51%
JP Morgan	Jul 8, 2026	Maintains	Neutral	$138.00 → $147.00	57%
UBS	Jul 2, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$140.00 → $150.00	53%
UBS	May 29, 2026	Upgrade	Neutral → Buy	$137.00 → $140.00	53%
Truist Securities	May 29, 2026	Maintains	Hold	$137.00 → $130.00	42%

The case for and against

Updated Nov 30, 2024

Bull case

American Water Works demonstrates a positive outlook due to its significant market presence and high barriers to entry, which enable it to maintain a robust premium relative to peers. The company's recent regulatory outcomes, including an increase in its return on equity (ROE) to 9.50%, underscore its capacity for enhanced earnings, particularly if further ROE increases materialize at its subsidiaries. Additionally, the raised capital expenditure guidance, particularly for PFAS infrastructure spending, signals a commitment to growth and operational improvements that could yield substantial long-term benefits.

Bear case

American Water Works faces significant risks that contribute to a negative outlook on its stock, primarily due to its exposure to regulatory pressures across multiple jurisdictions, which can impede financial stability and growth. The company's reliance on macroeconomic conditions for capital expenditure and the potential for increased regulatory lag may further strain its return on equity (ROE), impacting the company’s valuation metrics negatively. Additionally, pending litigation and delayed acquisitions of neighboring systems introduce unforeseen liabilities and cash flow repercussions, compounding the uncertainties surrounding the company's operational performance.

Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Market data is delayed at least 15 minutes and is provided without warranty. Analyst ratings, price targets and company data come from third-party sources. Past performance does not guarantee future results.