Franklin Resources Inc. Purchases 29,961 Shares of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK)

Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in shares of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK - Free Report) by 3.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,034,221 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 29,961 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned about 0.53% of American Water Works worth $145,170,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Water Works in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in American Water Works by 68.8% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 508 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in American Water Works by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 29,437 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $3,802,000 after purchasing an additional 1,965 shares during the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its holdings in American Water Works by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 6,636 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $857,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in American Water Works by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,553 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $201,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.58% of the company's stock.

American Water Works Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE AWK traded down $0.68 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $128.91. The company had a trading volume of 856,275 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,202,897. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 1-year low of $113.34 and a 1-year high of $150.68. The firm's 50 day moving average is $136.27 and its 200-day moving average is $137.97.

American Water Works Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 4th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a $0.765 dividend. This represents a $3.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. American Water Works's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.59%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Mizuho cut American Water Works from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and upped their price target for the company from $131.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Bank of America reiterated an "underperform" rating and issued a $140.00 price objective on shares of American Water Works in a research report on Friday, September 20th. Wolfe Research raised American Water Works to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. UBS Group raised American Water Works from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the stock from $151.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $164.00 price target on shares of American Water Works in a research report on Thursday, September 19th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $142.29.

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.