Nuance Investments LLC Increases Stock Position in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK)

Nuance Investments LLC raised its position in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) by 46.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 167,435 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 52,959 shares during the period. American Water Works comprises 0.8% of Nuance Investments LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Nuance Investments LLC owned approximately 0.09% of American Water Works worth $20,844,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in American Water Works in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Providence First Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of American Water Works during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Water Works during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in American Water Works by 54.2% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 293 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in American Water Works during the fourth quarter worth $47,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.58% of the company’s stock.

American Water Works Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of AWK opened at $139.32 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $132.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $134.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The company has a market capitalization of $27.16 billion, a PE ratio of 25.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.69. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 52-week low of $113.34 and a 52-week high of $152.07.

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The utilities provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.11 billion. American Water Works had a net margin of 22.44% and a return on equity of 10.29%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 5.71 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AWK has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com cut shares of American Water Works from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on American Water Works from $147.00 to $128.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on American Water Works from $133.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Water Works presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $141.86.

About American Water Works

American Water Works Company, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It offers water and wastewater services to approximately 1,700 communities in 14 states serving approximately 3.5 million active customers. The company serves residential customers; commercial customers, including food and beverage providers, commercial property developers and proprietors, and energy suppliers; fire service and private fire customers; industrial customers, such as large-scale manufacturers, mining, and production operations; public authorities comprising government buildings and other public sector facilities, such as schools and universities; and other utilities and community water and wastewater systems.