American Water Works stock gained 1.87 percent after Q2 EPS beat

Published on 10/04/2026 at 17:04 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

American Water Works stock posted Q2 EPS of USD 1.61 against USD 1.53 estimates. The October 2 price was USD 130.25 after a 1.87 percent gain.

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American Water Works (ISIN US0304201033) gained 1.87 percent to USD 130.25 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, after its Q2 earnings beat estimates. The result gives the water utility a stronger earnings base before its next scheduled report.

Q2 earnings beat estimates

MarketBeat reports that American Water Works delivered quarterly EPS of USD 1.61 against USD 1.53 consensus, a USD 0.08 beat. Revenue rose 6.2 percent year over year to USD 1.35 billion from a USD 1.33 billion estimate.

The same report says fiscal 2026 EPS guidance remained at USD 6.02-6.12. The comparison matters because the Q2 result exceeded consensus while the full-year range stayed unchanged, leaving execution and rate-related growth as the central operating test.

Targets remain above the stock

UBS raised its American Water Works price target from USD 156 to USD 162 and kept a Buy rating on September 10, 2026, according to MarketScreener. The new target lies 24.39 percent above the October 2 price.

MarketBeat lists a consensus split of one Buy, eight Hold and one Sell across 10 analysts, with a Hold average rating and a USD 140.11 average price target. That target lies 7.57 percent above the October 2 price of USD 130.25.

Investment and regulatory milestones

American Water Works reaffirmed its 2026 adjusted EPS range while advancing infrastructure spending and acquisitions, according to Zacks. The company invested USD 1.8 billion during the first half of 2026 and targets USD 3.7 billion for the full year, while merger approvals remain a key execution factor.

MarketScreener lists October 28, 2026, for the Q3 2026 earnings release. The date places the next formal test of the USD 6.02-6.12 guidance range within the fourth quarter.

American Water Works stock holds above USD 130

American Water Works stock closed at USD 130.25 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, up USD 2.39 from the USD 127.86 prior close. The session range was USD 128.46-130.38, with 2,147,419 shares traded and a market capitalization of USD 25.9 billion.