American Water Works ( NYSE: AWK ) on Friday was upgraded to a Neutral rating from Underweight at JPMorgan Chase on its valuation and regulatory outlook. The bank raised its price target for the utility company to $165 a share from $162.
“Near-term regulatory concerns are easing, in our view, given recent rate case execution and amid a backdrop of elevated commodity prices flowing through electric and gas bills that leaves water in a differentiated customer rate position over the next twelve months,” JPMorgan said in a research note.
American Water Works this year has declined 16% to $154.90, compared with a 15% slide for the S&P 500 Stock Index ( SP500 ) through the market close on Sept. 9.
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American Water Works upgraded to Neutral at JPMorgan Chase