American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) Price Target Analysis
Wall Street analyst price targets, ratings consensus & upside potential · Updated May 1, 2026
Current Price
$126.20
Price Target
$134.67
Target Range
$124.00 — $149.00
Analyst Rating
Hold
Forward P/E20.7x
Trailing P/E22.1x
Forward PEG2.63
Implied Growth+7.8%
Median Target$131.00
Analyst Spread18.6%
Price Forecast (1 Year)
Last 12 months price action with 12-month analyst target path
Bear Case
$124
-1.7%
Consensus
$135
+6.7%
Bull Case
$149
+18.1%
Valuation Model TargetsConfidence: 61/100
Bear$115
Base$142
Bull$206
AWK Price Target Analysis
Updated May 7, 2026As of May 7, 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) has a Wall Street consensus price target of $134.67, based on estimates from 29 covering analysts. With the stock currently trading at $126.20, this represents a potential upside of +6.7%. The company has a market capitalization of $24.64B.
Analyst price targets range from a low of $124.00 to a high of $149.00, representing a 19% spread in expectations. The median target of $131.00 aligns closely with the consensus average. The tight target dispersion indicates high conviction among analysts.
The current analyst consensus rating is Hold, with 13 analysts rating the stock as a Buy or Strong Buy,14 rating it Hold, and 2 rating it Sell or Strong Sell. The mixed ratings reflect uncertainty about near-term direction.
From a valuation perspective, AWK trades at a trailing P/E of 22.1x and forward P/E of 20.7x. The forward PEG ratio of 2.63 reflects a premium valuation. Analysts expect EPS to grow +7.8% over the next year.
Our proprietary valuation model, which blends historical multiples with forward estimates, suggests a base-case price target of $142.13, with bear and bull scenarios of $115.45 and $205.57 respectively. Model confidence stands at 61/100, reflecting moderate uncertainty in projections.
Investment Context: Price targets represent analyst expectations for the next 12 months and should be considered alongside your own research. Targets are based on analysts' assumptions about earnings growth, margins, and market conditions which may change. For sector-specific context, view other Utilities stocks.
Analyst Sentiment Comparison
Industry Peer AnalysisAvg Peer Upside+30.1%
Avg Forward P/E22.1x
Peers with Coverage8 / 10
| Company | Market Cap | Price | Target | Upside | Rating | Fwd P/E | Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 WTRGEssential Utilities, Inc. | $10.7B | $37.70 | $40.00 | +6.1% | Buy | 16.7x | 18 |
 CWTCalifornia Water Service Group | $2.6B | $43.64 | $54.00 | +23.7% | Buy | 16.9x | 10 |
 MSEXMiddlesex Water Company | $955M | $51.41 | $53.50 | +4.1% | Buy | 20.1x | 4 |
 YORWThe York Water Company | $421M | $29.18 | — | — | Hold | 18.0x | 4 |
 ARTNAArtesian Resources Corporation | $326M | $31.68 | — | — | Buy | 15.8x | 4 |
 AWRAmerican States Water Company | $3.0B | $76.84 | $89.50 | +16.5% | Hold | 20.7x | 10 |
 GWRSGlobal Water Resources, Inc. | $206M | $7.16 | $12.50 | +74.6% | Buy | 53.0x | 4 |
 WMSAdvanced Drainage Systems, Inc. | $12.2B | $144.08 | $202.67 | +40.7% | Hold | 23.7x | 22 |
 XYLXylem Inc. | $27.5B | $115.64 | $151.57 | +31.1% | Hold | 20.9x | 40 |
 PNRPentair plc | $12.8B | $78.97 | $113.56 | +43.8% | Hold | 14.8x | 41 |
Upside Potential Comparison
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Start ComparisonAWK — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying AWK stock.
What is the AWK stock price target for 2026?
The consensus price target for AWK is $134.67, close to the current price of $126.2 (6.7% implied move). Based on 29 analyst estimates, the stock appears fairly valued near current levels.
Is AWK a buy, sell, or hold?
AWK has a consensus rating of "Hold" based on 29 Wall Street analysts. The rating breakdown is mixed, with 14 Hold ratings making up the largest segment. The consensus 12-month price target of $134.67 implies 6.7% upside from current levels.
Is AWK stock overvalued or undervalued?
AWK trades at a forward P/E of 20.7198x, representing a moderate valuation. With analysts targeting $134.67 (6.7% implied move), the stock appears reasonably valued with upside.
How high can AWK stock go?
The most bullish Wall Street analyst has a price target of $149 for AWK, while the most conservative target is $124. The consensus of $134.67 represents the median expectation. Our quantitative valuation model projects a bull case target of $206 based on optimistic growth and margin assumptions. These targets typically reflect 12-month expectations.
How many analysts cover AWK stock?
AWK is heavily covered by Wall Street, with 29 analysts providing price targets and ratings. Of these, 0 have Strong Buy ratings, 13 have Buy ratings, 14 recommend Hold, and 2 have Sell or Strong Sell ratings. Higher analyst coverage generally indicates greater institutional interest and more reliable consensus estimates.
What is the AWK stock forecast?
The 12-month AWK stock forecast based on 29 Wall Street analysts shows a consensus price target of $134.67, with estimates ranging from $124 (bear case) to $149 (bull case). The median consensus rating is "Hold". Our proprietary valuation model produces a base case fair value of $142, with bear/bull scenarios of $115/$206.
What is AWK's fair value based on fundamentals?
Our quantitative valuation model calculates AWK's fair value at $142 (base case), with a bear case of $115 and bull case of $206. The model uses discounted cash flow analysis, historical growth rates, and margin mean-reversion to project FY+2 earnings, then applies an appropriate P/E multiple. The model confidence score is 61/100.
What is AWK's forward P/E ratio?
AWK trades at a forward P/E ratio of 20.7x based on next-twelve-months earnings estimates compared to a trailing P/E of 22.1x. The lower forward P/E indicates analysts expect earnings growth. A forward P/E is useful for comparing valuations when earnings are expected to change significantly.
Should I buy AWK stock?
AWK appears fairly valued according to analysts, with a "Hold" rating and minimal upside to the $134.67 target. Consider your investment thesis and risk tolerance. This information is for educational purposes only. Always conduct your own research, consider your financial situation, and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Why do AWK price targets vary so much?
AWK analyst price targets range from $124 to $149, a 19% tight range reflecting strong analyst consensus. Differences stem from varying assumptions about revenue growth, profit margins, competitive dynamics, and valuation multiples. The $134.67 consensus represents the middle ground. Our model's $115-$206 range provides an independent fundamental perspective.