Buck Wealth Strategies LLC Makes New $3.96 Million Investment in American States Water (NYSE:AWR)

Buck Wealth Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in American States Water (NYSE:AWR - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 50,901 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $3,956,000. Buck Wealth Strategies LLC owned 0.14% of American States Water as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its holdings in shares of American States Water by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 20,924 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,518,000 after buying an additional 871 shares during the period. Creative Planning increased its stake in shares of American States Water by 23.4% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 10,904 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $791,000 after purchasing an additional 2,069 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position in shares of American States Water by 33.8% during the 3rd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 12,676 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,056,000 after purchasing an additional 3,200 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in American States Water by 34.9% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,504 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $125,000 after purchasing an additional 389 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC increased its position in American States Water by 33.3% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,393 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $116,000 after buying an additional 348 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of American States Water from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Bank of America lowered shares of American States Water from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $85.00 to $71.00 in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of American States Water from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating and cut their price objective for the company from $84.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th.

American States Water Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AWR traded up $0.35 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $73.36. The stock had a trading volume of 260,217 shares, compared to its average volume of 181,350. The company has a market cap of $2.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.70, a PEG ratio of 12.59 and a beta of 0.53. American States Water has a twelve month low of $66.03 and a twelve month high of $87.50. The business's fifty day moving average is $76.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $81.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.64.

American States Water Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.4655 per share. This represents a $1.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. American States Water's payout ratio is 62.63%.

About American States Water

American States Water Company, through its subsidiaries, provides water and electric services to residential, commercial, industrial, and other customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Water, Electric, and Contracted Services. The company purchases, produces, distributes, and sells water, as well as distributes electricity.