American Water (NYSE:AWK) Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK), a major player in the water supply industry, announced a settlement in a Virginia rate case on Monday. The agreement, which is pending regulatory approval, would result in a $14.6 million annual revenue increase for the company's subsidiary, Virginia American Water.
The settlement, filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on September 20, 2024, resolves a request for a $19.7 million boost in annual water and wastewater revenues initially filed on November 1, 2023. The stipulation was agreed upon by Virginia American Water, SCC staff, the Office of the Attorney General's Division of Consumer Counsel, and several intervenors.
The parties have also agreed on a return on equity (ROE) of 9.7% and a capital structure of 45.6% equity and 54.3% debt and other components for the purpose of future filings by Virginia American Water. These figures are consistent with the ROE approved in the company's 2023 rate order, although the equity component has increased from the previously approved 40.73%, with a corresponding decrease in the debt and other component.
The need for increased revenue is primarily attributed to approximately $110 million in capital investments planned between May 2023 and April 2025. Interim rates were implemented on May 1, 2024, and any difference between these rates and the final approved rates will be subject to refund.
In other recent news, American Water Works Company has been under the spotlight with BofA Securities resuming its coverage on the company's stocks. The firm assigned an underperform rating and set a price target of $140.00, citing a high valuation relative to its peers. BofA Securities' projections estimate American Water Works' EPS for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026 to be $5.28, $5.70, and $6.12 respectively.
In another development, the company has settled a New Jersey rate case resulting in a $79.5 million annual increase in water and wastewater revenues. The settlement, expected to be approved on September 4, 2024, is based on a return on equity of 9.6% and an authorized rate base of $5.05 billion.
American Water Works demonstrated a robust financial performance in the second quarter and first half of 2024, despite a slight decrease in quarterly EPS. The company has raised its EPS guidance for 2024 to $5.25-$5.30, indicating a positive financial outlook.
Investments in capital projects have reached $1.4 billion year-to-date, and the company has added 43,000 customers through acquisitions and organic growth.
Lastly, the company announced John Bigelow as the new President. Despite potential legal challenges in Pennsylvania that could affect the timing of benefits from acquisitions, American Water has secured $266 million in annualized new revenues and rates, with total annualized revenue requests pending at $546 million. The company's long-term targets, including a 7%-9% earnings and dividend growth over five years, remain affirmed.
InvestingPro Insights
As American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) navigates through its recent rate case settlement in Virginia, investors might find it useful to consider some key financial metrics and expert analyses provided by InvestingPro. Notably, AWK has demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns, having raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years, a testament to its financial stability and confidence in sustained profitability. The company's market capitalization stands at a robust $28.57 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the water supply industry.
From a valuation standpoint, AWK is trading at a high earnings multiple with a P/E ratio of 29.93, which suggests that investors are willing to pay a premium for its shares. This could be due to the company's consistent performance and the essential nature of its services. Additionally, AWK has experienced a healthy revenue growth of 7.68% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, indicating its ability to expand its operations effectively. Moreover, the company has a strong gross profit margin of nearly 60%, underlining its operational efficiency.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that analysts have recently revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, which may signal a positive outlook for the company's financial performance. Furthermore, with a dividend yield of 2.05%, investors looking for steady income might find AWK an attractive option. For those interested in deeper analysis and additional insights, there are 13 more InvestingPro Tips available on the AWK page at InvestingPro.
In conclusion, while the settlement in Virginia is a key development for American Water Works, the company's financial health and market position, as reflected in the InvestingPro Data, suggest a solid foundation that could support its ongoing growth and investment initiatives.
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