American States Water (NYSE:AWR) Shares Sold by Quest Partners LLC

Quest Partners LLC decreased its holdings in American States Water (NYSE:AWR - Free Report) by 78.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,019 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 28,659 shares during the quarter. Quest Partners LLC's holdings in American States Water were worth $668,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. CWM LLC raised its position in American States Water by 31.4% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,045 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $76,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in shares of American States Water by 2.5% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 10,421 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $756,000 after buying an additional 258 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of American States Water by 9.6% in the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,075 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $223,000 after buying an additional 269 shares in the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its position in shares of American States Water by 3.1% in the third quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 8,828 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $735,000 after buying an additional 269 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Pacific Financial increased its position in shares of American States Water by 3.4% in the third quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 8,783 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $732,000 after buying an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company's stock.

American States Water Price Performance

Shares of AWR traded up $0.98 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $85.03. 264,669 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 234,781. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.19 billion, a PE ratio of 28.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.49. American States Water has a fifty-two week low of $66.03 and a fifty-two week high of $87.50. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $84.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $79.65.

American States Water (NYSE:AWR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.98 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $161.78 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $161.00 million. American States Water had a net margin of 19.26% and a return on equity of 13.53%. The firm's revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.85 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that American States Water will post 3.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American States Water Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 15th will be paid a $0.4655 dividend. This represents a $1.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 15th. American States Water's payout ratio is 62.63%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com cut American States Water from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, November 16th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded American States Water from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and raised their price target for the company from $80.00 to $87.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st.

American States Water Company Profile

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.