American Water Works Company (AWK - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2018 earnings per share of 59 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents by 7.3%. Earnings improved 13.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The improvement came on the back of growth in Regulated Businesses as well as The Market-Based Businesses.
Total Revenues
Total revenues of $761 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $787 million by 3.3%. However, reported revenues improved 0.7% year over year.
Highlights of the Release
Total operating expenses in the quarter were $544 million, up 3.4% from the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily led by higher operation & maintenance and higher depreciation & amortization expenses compared with the year-ago quarter.
Operating income was $217 million, down 5.7% year over year.
Segment Details
Regulated Businesses’ net income was $104 million, up 10.6% from $94 million in the year-ago quarter.
Market-Based Businesses’ net income was $12 million compared with $7 million in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year increase can be attributed to growth in the Homeowner Services Group through customer addition and cost management and the federal income tax rate cut.
Financial Highlights
Cash and cash equivalents were $55 million as of Mar 31, 2018, in line with the Dec 31, 2017 level.
Long-term debt was $11,854 million as of Mar 31, 2018, lower than $11,883 million as of Dec 31, 2017.
The company made capital investments of $343 million in the first quarter, including $302 million to improve Regulated Businesses infrastructure to provide safe, clean and reliable service and more than $8 million for regulated acquisitions.
Guidance
American Water Works reaffirmed the 2018 earnings per share guidance at the range of $3.22-$3.32.
The company announced a hike in dividend payment of 9.6% to 45.5 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Jun 1, 2018, to shareholders of record as of May 11.
Zacks Rank
American Water Works carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Upcoming Peer Releases
American States Water Company (AWR - Free Report) , is expected to report first-quarter 2018 results on May 7. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 34 cents.
Consolidated Water Company Ltd. (CWCO - Free Report) , is likely to report first-quarter 2018 results on May 9. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at 18 cents.
Aqua America Inc. is expected to report first-quarter 2018 results on May 8 .The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at 29 cents.
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American Water Works Company (AWK - Free Report) posted first-quarter 2018 earnings per share of 59 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents by 7.3%. Earnings improved 13.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The improvement came on the back of growth in Regulated Businesses as well as The Market-Based Businesses.
Total Revenues
Total revenues of $761 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $787 million by 3.3%. However, reported revenues improved 0.7% year over year.
Highlights of the Release
Total operating expenses in the quarter were $544 million, up 3.4% from the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily led by higher operation & maintenance and higher depreciation & amortization expenses compared with the year-ago quarter.
Operating income was $217 million, down 5.7% year over year.
Segment Details
Regulated Businesses’ net income was $104 million, up 10.6% from $94 million in the year-ago quarter.
Market-Based Businesses’ net income was $12 million compared with $7 million in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year increase can be attributed to growth in the Homeowner Services Group through customer addition and cost management and the federal income tax rate cut.
Financial Highlights
Cash and cash equivalents were $55 million as of Mar 31, 2018, in line with the Dec 31, 2017 level.
Long-term debt was $11,854 million as of Mar 31, 2018, lower than $11,883 million as of Dec 31, 2017.
The company made capital investments of $343 million in the first quarter, including $302 million to improve Regulated Businesses infrastructure to provide safe, clean and reliable service and more than $8 million for regulated acquisitions.
Guidance
American Water Works reaffirmed the 2018 earnings per share guidance at the range of $3.22-$3.32.
The company announced a hike in dividend payment of 9.6% to 45.5 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Jun 1, 2018, to shareholders of record as of May 11.
Zacks Rank
American Water Works carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Upcoming Peer Releases
American States Water Company (AWR - Free Report) , is expected to report first-quarter 2018 results on May 7. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 34 cents.
Consolidated Water Company Ltd. (CWCO - Free Report) , is likely to report first-quarter 2018 results on May 9. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at 18 cents.
Aqua America Inc. is expected to report first-quarter 2018 results on May 8 .The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at 29 cents.
5 Medical Stocks to Buy Now
Zacks names 5 companies poised to ride a medical breakthrough that is targeting cures for leukemia, AIDS, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, and other conditions.
New products in this field are already generating substantial revenue and even more wondrous treatments are in the pipeline. Early investors could realize exceptional profits.
Click here to see the 5 stocks >>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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