H2O America (HTO) AI Stock Analysis
HTO AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchH2O America is a regulated water utility operating in the United States with a market capitalization of $2.41B. Between FY2020 and FY2025, the company grew revenue at a 5-year CAGR of 7.2%, reaching $800.6M in FY2025. Over the trailing twelve months, it generated an operating margin of 21.3% while maintaining a forward dividend yield of 3.05%.
- Market cap
- $2.41B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $828.5M
- P/E
- 20.4x fwd 22.9x
- 1Y return
- 19.2% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $67.00 16.1% vs last close
Bull case
- The mean price target of $67.00 reflects a 16.1% upside potential from the last close of $57.69.
- H2O America offers a forward dividend yield of 3.05% backed by 47 consecutive years of dividend payments.
- Revenue grew at a 5-year CAGR of 7.2% through FY2025, reaching trailing twelve month sales of $828.5M.
Bear case
- Capital expenditures of $522.9M in FY2025 outpaced operating cash flow, resulting in free cash flow of -$278.1M.
- Consensus forecasts anticipate EPS will decline 8.0% in FY2026 to $2.75 and fall another 1.0% in FY2027 to $2.72.
- The stock's forward P/E multiple of 22.9x sits above the US-listed Utilities peer median of 17.2x.
What H2O America does
H2O America, formerly known as SJW Group, provides water utility and related services in the United States. The company produces, purchases, stores, purifies, distributes, wholesales, and retails water and wastewater services. It supplies groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and imported water purchased from Valley Water District. Additionally, H2O America offers non-tariffed services, including water system operations, maintenance agreements, antenna site leases, contracted services, sewer operations, and the Linebacker protection plan in Connecticut and Maine. The company also owns undeveloped land in California as well as commercial properties and land parcels in Connecticut.
Growth and profitability
Revenue increased from $573.7M in FY2021 to $800.6M in FY2025, representing a 5-year revenue CAGR of 7.2%. Over the same period, net income rose from $60.5M to $102.6M, with EPS expanding from $1.93 to $2.98. Operating margin was 19.4% in FY2021 and reached 22.6% in FY2025, though gross margin decreased to 46.7% in FY2025 from 56.8% in FY2024. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $828.5M with an operating margin of 21.3% and a profit margin of 12.9%. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue increased 6.2% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 12.6%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, H2O America had $104.1M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $1.89B, leaving net debt at $1.79B. Shareholders' equity was $1.84B, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.67. In FY2025, the company generated operating cash flow of $244.8M but spent $522.9M on capital expenditures, producing free cash flow of -$278.1M. Cash distributions included $58.6M in dividends paid during FY2025, while the share count expanded 36.0% over five years.
Valuation and performance
Trading at $57.69, H2O America carries a trailing P/E of 20.4x and a forward P/E of 22.9x, compared to medians of 20.6x and 17.2x for its US-listed Utilities peers. Its enterprise value of $4.39B equates to an EV/EBITDA of 13.7x, above the peer median of 12.1x, and its price-to-sales ratio is 2.9x against the peer median of 2.4x. Over the past year, the stock gained 19.2%, outpacing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%, though its 5-year return of -3.0% lagged the index's 83.0% gain.
HTO dividend
H2O America pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized forward payout of $1.76 per share, providing a dividend yield of 3.05%. The company has paid dividends for 47 consecutive years and recorded a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 5.6%. The payout ratio stands at 59.0%, and its last ex-dividend date was August 10, 2026.
What analysts expect
Analyst coverage consists of 4 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 2 Hold ratings, with zero Sell or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $67.00, which is 16.1% above the last close of $57.69. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate revenue of $867.6M and EPS of $2.75, representing an EPS decline of 8.0%. H2O America has beaten EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is October 26, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Total debt of $1.89B significantly exceeds cash and short-term investments of $104.1M, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03.
- Shareholder dilution has occurred over time, with the company's share count increasing 36.0% over the last five years.
- Quarterly earnings declined 12.6% year-over-year in the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this HTO AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of H2O America (HTO). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: HTO income statement, HTO balance sheet, HTO key metrics, HTO analyst forecast, HTO chart. See the HTO stock overview for the latest quote and news.
HTO AI stock analysis FAQ
What is H2O America's forward dividend yield?
H2O America offers a forward dividend yield of 3.05%, corresponding to an annualized dividend of $1.76 per share.
When is H2O America's next earnings report date?
The company is scheduled to report its next earnings on October 26, 2026.
What was H2O America's previous corporate name?
The company was formerly known as SJW Group and changed its name to H2O America in May 2025.
What are Wall Street analysts forecasting for HTO's stock price?
Wall Street analysts have a mean price target of $67.00, which is 16.1% above its last close of $57.69.