Figure 8 Investment Strategies LLC Takes $956,000 Position in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK)

Figure 8 Investment Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 7,682 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $956,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in shares of American Water Works by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,418,102 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $300,739,000 after acquiring an additional 125,128 shares during the period. Czech National Bank grew its position in shares of American Water Works by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 42,257 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $5,261,000 after acquiring an additional 2,562 shares during the period. Sovran Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of American Water Works in the 4th quarter valued at about $277,000. Swedbank AB grew its position in shares of American Water Works by 65.5% in the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 106,383 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $15,557,000 after acquiring an additional 42,094 shares during the period. Finally, PFW Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of American Water Works in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,783,000. 86.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on AWK shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of American Water Works from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $133.00 to $129.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. UBS Group raised shares of American Water Works from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $151.00 to $155.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of American Water Works from $147.00 to $128.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $140.00.

American Water Works Stock Performance

NYSE AWK traded up $1.46 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $127.12. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,345,730 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,212,752. The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.72. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 12 month low of $113.34 and a 12 month high of $150.68. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $125.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $135.06.

American Water Works Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be issued a $0.765 dividend. This represents a $3.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. American Water Works's dividend payout ratio is currently 60.59%.

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.