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American States Water's (AWR) Q4 Earnings In Line, Up Y/Y

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American States Water Company (AWR - Free Report) generated fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 37 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Further, the bottom line improved 5.7% from 35 cents in the year-ago quarter.

In 2018, earnings came in at $1.72 per share compared with $1.75 in 2017.

Total Revenues

Operating revenues amounted to $111 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $107 million by 3.7%. The top line improved 6.5% from $104.2 in the prior-year quarter. Total revenues increased primarily on the back of higher revenues in the Contracted services segment, which was up by nearly 23.2%.

In 2018, the company delivered revenues of $436.8 million compared with $440.6 million in 2017.

American States Water Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

American States Water Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | American States Water Company Quote

 

Operational Update

In the quarter under review, American States Water’s total operating expenses were $88.2 million, up 7.3% year over year.

Interest expenses were $5.5 million, up 10.8% year over year. Also, interest income was $1.7 million, up 199.2% year over year.

Segment Details

Earnings in the Water segment were 17 cents, down from 18 cents in the prior-year quarter.

Earnings in the Electric segment amounted to 3 cents, up from 2 cents in the year-ago quarter.

Earnings in the Contracted Services segments were 18 cents, which rallied 63.6% from the year-ago quarter’s tally.

Financial Update

As of Dec 31, 2018, American States Water’s cash and cash equivalents were $7.1 million compared with $0.21 million as of Dec 31, 2017.

As of Dec 31, 2018, the company’s long-term debts were down at $281 million compared with $321 million as of Dec 31, 2017.

Recent Utility Releases

American Water Works Company (AWK - Free Report) posted fourth-quarter 2018 earnings per share of 69 cents, which is in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Aqua America Inc. reported fourth-quarter 2018 earnings per share of 31 cents, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny.

IDACORP, Inc. (IDA - Free Report)     delivered fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 52 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 48 cents by 8.3%.

Zacks Rank

American States Water carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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