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American Water (AWK) Beats on Q1 Earnings, Adds Customers
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American Water Works Company (AWK - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2020 earnings of 67 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents by 3.1%. The bottom line also improved 9.8% year over year on the back of strong contributions from Regulated and Market-based businesses.
GAAP earnings came in at 68 cents compared with 62 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The primary reason for the difference in GAAP and operating earnings in the reported quarter was a depreciation related to assets held for sale.
Total Revenues
Total revenues of $844 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $841 million by 0.4% and improved 3.8% from the year-ago figure of $813 million.
American Water Works Company Inc Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Total operating expenses in the quarter were $605 million, up 5.2% from the year-ago period. The increase was due to higher operation and maintenance expenses.
Operating income was $239 million, 0.4% higher than the year-ago figure. New water rates, which came into effect from January 2020, increased revenues by $53 million from a year ago.
The company completed five acquisitions in four states till May 6, 2020, which added 6,200 customers to the customer base.
Interest expenses in the reported quarter totaled $96 million compared with $93 million in the prior-year period.
Segment Details
Regulatedbusinesses’ net income was $121 million compared with $107 million in the year-ago quarter. Till May 6, 2020, this segment added 9,500 customers through acquisitions and organic growth. Acquisitions, organic growth and additional authorized revenues to support infrastructure investments boosted income.
The company expects to add an additional 45,800 customer connections through pending acquisitions.
Market-Basedbusinesses’ net income was $22 million compared with $20 million in the year-ago quarter.
Financial Highlights
Cash and cash equivalents amounted to $556 million as of Mar 31, 2020, up from $60 million on Dec 31, 2019.
Long-term debt was $8,625 million as of Mar 31, 2020, higher than $8,644 million at 2019-end.
Cash flow from operating activities in first-quarter 2020 was $180 million compared with $168 million in the year-ago period.
Guidance
American Water reaffirmed its guidance for 2020 earnings in the range $3.79-$3.89 and long-term EPS compound annual growth rate within 7-10%, anchored off of 2018 adjusted EPS.
The company has plans to invest $20-$22 billion of capital over the next 10 years. Subject to the approval of the board of directors, dividend growth for the 2020-2024 period is expected to be at the high end of the 7-10% range.
Middlesex Water Company (MSEX - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2020 earnings of 44 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents by 15.8%.
American States Water Company (AWR - Free Report) generated first-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 38 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 40 cents by 5%.
SJW Group (SJW - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2020 earnings of 15 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 34 cents by 55.9%.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
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American Water (AWK) Beats on Q1 Earnings, Adds Customers
American Water Works Company (AWK - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2020 earnings of 67 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents by 3.1%. The bottom line also improved 9.8% year over year on the back of strong contributions from Regulated and Market-based businesses.
GAAP earnings came in at 68 cents compared with 62 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The primary reason for the difference in GAAP and operating earnings in the reported quarter was a depreciation related to assets held for sale.
Total Revenues
Total revenues of $844 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $841 million by 0.4% and improved 3.8% from the year-ago figure of $813 million.
American Water Works Company Inc Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
American Water Works Company Inc price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | American Water Works Company Inc Quote
Highlights of the Release
Total operating expenses in the quarter were $605 million, up 5.2% from the year-ago period. The increase was due to higher operation and maintenance expenses.
Operating income was $239 million, 0.4% higher than the year-ago figure. New water rates, which came into effect from January 2020, increased revenues by $53 million from a year ago.
The company completed five acquisitions in four states till May 6, 2020, which added 6,200 customers to the customer base.
Interest expenses in the reported quarter totaled $96 million compared with $93 million in the prior-year period.
Segment Details
Regulated businesses’ net income was $121 million compared with $107 million in the year-ago quarter. Till May 6, 2020, this segment added 9,500 customers through acquisitions and organic growth. Acquisitions, organic growth and additional authorized revenues to support infrastructure investments boosted income.
The company expects to add an additional 45,800 customer connections through pending acquisitions.
Market-Based businesses’ net income was $22 million compared with $20 million in the year-ago quarter.
Financial Highlights
Cash and cash equivalents amounted to $556 million as of Mar 31, 2020, up from $60 million on Dec 31, 2019.
Long-term debt was $8,625 million as of Mar 31, 2020, higher than $8,644 million at 2019-end.
Cash flow from operating activities in first-quarter 2020 was $180 million compared with $168 million in the year-ago period.
Guidance
American Water reaffirmed its guidance for 2020 earnings in the range $3.79-$3.89 and long-term EPS compound annual growth rate within 7-10%, anchored off of 2018 adjusted EPS.
The company has plans to invest $20-$22 billion of capital over the next 10 years. Subject to the approval of the board of directors, dividend growth for the 2020-2024 period is expected to be at the high end of the 7-10% range.
Zacks Rank
American Water Works currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Releases
Middlesex Water Company (MSEX - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2020 earnings of 44 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents by 15.8%.
American States Water Company (AWR - Free Report) generated first-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 38 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 40 cents by 5%.
SJW Group (SJW - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2020 earnings of 15 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 34 cents by 55.9%.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
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