H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nine ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $62.1667.

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of H2O America from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of H2O America in a report on Monday, May 11th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of H2O America from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, June 20th. Bank of America reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of H2O America in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on shares of H2O America in a report on Thursday, April 16th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $64.00 target price on the stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at H2O America

In related news, major shareholder Atlas Infrastructure Partners purchased 50,385 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, April 10th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $59.06 per share, for a total transaction of $2,975,738.10. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 4,582,469 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $270,640,619.14. This trade represents a 1.11% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Atlas Holdings Ltd Gip purchased 50,385 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, April 10th. The stock was bought at an average price of $59.06 per share, for a total transaction of $2,975,738.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 4,582,469 shares in the company, valued at approximately $270,640,619.14. The trade was a 1.11% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.52% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of H2O America

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of H2O America during the 3rd quarter valued at about $8,943,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of H2O America during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,375,000. Prospera Financial Services Inc acquired a new stake in shares of H2O America during the 4th quarter valued at about $4,305,000. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. acquired a new stake in shares of H2O America during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,609,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new stake in shares of H2O America during the 3rd quarter valued at about $10,556,000. 84.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

H2O America Stock Performance

Shares of HTO opened at $60.69 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.54 billion, a PE ratio of 20.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.78 and a beta of 0.35. H2O America has a one year low of $43.75 and a one year high of $61.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 2.02. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $57.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $55.18.

H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $183.29 million for the quarter. H2O America had a net margin of 12.87% and a return on equity of 6.76%. H2O America has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.080-3.180 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that H2O America will post 2.7 earnings per share for the current year.

H2O America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 11th were given a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 11th. H2O America’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.27%.

About H2O America

SJW Group, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in the United States. It operates in Water Utility Services and Real Estate Services segments. The company engages in the production, purchase, storage, purification, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of water and wastewater services; and supplies groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and imported water purchased from the Santa Clara Valley Water District.