📊 AWK Key Takeaways
Is American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) a Good Investment?
American Water Works demonstrates deteriorating fundamental health despite 10.1% revenue growth. Critical liquidity stress (0.37x current ratio), deeply negative free cash flow (-$354M annually), and abysmal returns on equity (1.8%) and assets (0.6%) indicate capital is not earning adequate returns. Flat net income growth combined with high leverage (1.16x Debt/Equity) and weak interest coverage (1.7x) present elevated financial risk.
American Water Works shows solid core utility fundamentals, with strong operating profitability, steady revenue growth, and healthy interest coverage supporting a generally resilient earnings base. However, net income was flat year over year, liquidity is tight, and free cash flow is meaningfully negative because the business remains highly capital intensive. The fundamentals support stability more than near-term upside, with execution on capital spending and financing discipline being the key factors.
American Water Works Company, Inc. Key Strengths (AWK)
- Revenue growth of 10.1% YoY in stable utility sector
- Strong operating margins at 32.5% demonstrate operational efficiency
- Positive operating cash flow of $305M from core water supply operations
- Strong operating margin of 36.7% and net margin of 21.7% indicate durable regulated utility profitability
- Revenue grew 10.1% year over year, showing continued expansion of the underlying business
- Interest coverage of 8.2x and ROE of 10.3% suggest debt is currently manageable and returns remain acceptable
AWK Stock Risks: American Water Works Company, Inc. Investment Risks
- Severely negative free cash flow of -$354M; company spending $659M CapEx against $305M operating cash generation
- Critical liquidity crisis: current ratio and quick ratio both at 0.37x, well below 1.0x safe threshold
- Abysmal capital returns: ROE 1.8% and ROA 0.6% indicate capital is not earning adequate returns; equity holders getting nearly zero return
- Margin compression: revenue up 10.1% but net income flat (0% growth) suggests pricing/cost pressures
- Elevated financial leverage with tight interest coverage ratio of 1.7x; limited cushion for earnings volatility
- Free cash flow was negative $1.07B as capital expenditures materially exceeded operating cash flow
- Current and quick ratios of 0.46x indicate weak short-term liquidity and dependence on external financing
- High long-term debt of $14.30B and debt-to-equity of 1.32x raise sensitivity to financing costs and capital execution
Key Metrics to Watch
- Free cash flow trend and sustainability of $659M annual CapEx relative to operating cash generation
- Liquidity ratios and working capital management; current ratio improvement critical
- Net income growth trajectory relative to revenue growth to assess margin pressure
- Debt refinancing ability and interest coverage ratio given tight 1.7x coverage
- Operating cash flow relative to capital expenditures
- Debt levels, interest coverage, and near-term liquidity
American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
AWK Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
AWK vs Utilities Sector: How American Water Works Company, Inc. Compares
How American Water Works Company, Inc. compares to Utilities sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is American Water Works Company, Inc. Stock Overvalued? AWK Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, American Water Works Company, Inc. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Utilities sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
American Water Works Company, Inc. Balance Sheet: AWK Debt, Cash & Liquidity
AWK Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: American Water Works Company, Inc.'s revenue has grown significantly by 31% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $4.90 reflects profitable operations.
AWK Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
AWK Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $1.1B | $196.0M | $1.00 |
| Q3 2025 | $1.3B | $185.0M | $1.80 |
| Q2 2025 | $1.1B | $185.0M | $1.42 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
American Water Works Company, Inc. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
AWK SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for American Water Works Company, Inc. (CIK: 0001410636)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about AWK
What is the AI rating for AWK?
American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) has a Combined AI Grade of C from Claude (C) and ChatGPT (B) with 77% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are AWK's key strengths?
Claude: Revenue growth of 10.1% YoY in stable utility sector. Strong operating margins at 32.5% demonstrate operational efficiency. ChatGPT: Strong operating margin of 36.7% and net margin of 21.7% indicate durable regulated utility profitability. Revenue grew 10.1% year over year, showing continued expansion of the underlying business.
What are the risks of investing in AWK?
Claude: Severely negative free cash flow of -$354M; company spending $659M CapEx against $305M operating cash generation. Critical liquidity crisis: current ratio and quick ratio both at 0.37x, well below 1.0x safe threshold. ChatGPT: Free cash flow was negative $1.07B as capital expenditures materially exceeded operating cash flow. Current and quick ratios of 0.46x indicate weak short-term liquidity and dependence on external financing.
What is AWK's revenue and growth?
American Water Works Company, Inc. reported revenue of $1.2B.
Does AWK pay dividends?
American Water Works Company, Inc. pays dividends, with $162.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find AWK SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for American Water Works Company, Inc. (CIK: 0001410636) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is AWK's EPS?
American Water Works Company, Inc. has a diluted EPS of $1.00.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
What is AWK's fundamental grade?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in June 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. has a C grade with 77% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.
Is AWK stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for AWK: ROE of 1.8% (sector avg: 10%), net margin of 16.3% (sector avg: 12%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
What is AWK's AI grade for 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives American Water Works Company, Inc. a combined C grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is AWK's free cash flow?
American Water Works Company, Inc.'s operating cash flow is $305.0M, with capital expenditures of $659.0M. FCF margin is -29.4%.
How does AWK compare to other Utilities stocks?
Vs Utilities sector averages: Net margin 16.3% (avg: 12%), ROE 1.8% (avg: 10%), current ratio 0.37 (avg: 0.8).