The York Water Company (YORW) AI Stock Analysis
YORW AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchThe York Water Company (YORW) is a regulated water and wastewater utility serving south-central Pennsylvania. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $83.4M in revenue with an operating margin of 42.3% and net EPS of $1.61. Growth accelerated in the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026, with quarterly revenue rising 22.5% and earnings up 37.0% year-over-year.
- Market cap
- $502.1M
- Revenue (TTM)
- $83.4M
- P/E
- 19.2x fwd 25.4x
- 1Y return
- 2.1% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $31.00 0.2% vs last close
Bull case
- Trailing twelve months operating margin stands at a robust 42.3%, well above the peer median of 22.6%.
- Earnings momentum rebounded strongly in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, with quarterly earnings growth of 37.0% year-over-year.
- The business provides steady income visibility, supported by 32 consecutive years of dividend payments and a 2.95% yield.
Bear case
- Free cash flow remained negative at -$18.9M in FY2025 due to significant capital expenditures of $48.7M.
- The stock commands high forward multiples, including a forward P/E of 25.4x compared to the peer median of 17.2x.
- Long-term equity returns have lagged the market, with shares falling 24.7% over the past 5 years while the S&P 500 gained 83.0%.
What York Water does
The York Water Company impounds, purifies, and distributes drinking water, while also operating three wastewater collection systems and five wastewater treatment facilities. Founded in 1816 and based in York, Pennsylvania, the utility serves 51 municipalities across three counties in south-central Pennsylvania. Its infrastructure includes Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which together store approximately 2.2 billion gallons of water, supported by a 15-mile pipeline to the Susquehanna River and nine groundwater wells. The company supplies residential, commercial, and industrial customers across sectors such as food products, textiles, paper, fixtures and furniture, and electrical machinery.
Growth and profitability
The York Water Company increased annual revenue from $55.1M in FY2021 to $77.5M in FY2025, representing a 5-year revenue CAGR of 7.5%. Annual net income grew from $17.0M in FY2021 to a peak of $23.8M in FY2023, before settling at $20.1M in FY2025 as net margin compressed to 25.9%. Operating margin was 35.8% in FY2025, down from 42.4% in FY2021, while gross margin fell to 54.8%. Momentum improved across the trailing twelve months, during which revenue reached $83.4M with a profit margin of 28.5%. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue growth reached 22.5% and quarterly earnings growth reached 37.0% year-over-year.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, the utility held $555,000 in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $189.7M, yielding net debt of $189.1M. Shareholders' equity stood at $294.3M, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.05. Operating cash flow in FY2025 was $29.9M, which did not fully cover capital expenditures of $48.7M, leaving free cash flow at -$18.9M. In addition to capital projects, the company paid $12.6M in dividends during FY2025, while its share count expanded 21.4% over five years.
Valuation and performance
At $30.94, The York Water Company trades at a trailing P/E of 19.2x, below the 20.6x median of its US-listed Utilities peers. However, its forward P/E of 25.4x, price-to-sales of 6.0x, and EV-to-EBITDA of 14.7x trade at premiums to peer medians of 17.2x, 2.4x, and 12.1x, respectively. The stock's 1-year return of 2.1% lagged the 16.8% return of the S&P 500 benchmark. Over five years, the shares declined 24.7%, compared to an 83.0% gain for the S&P 500.
YORW dividend
The company pays an annualized forward dividend of $0.91 per share, representing a 2.95% dividend yield and a payout ratio of 56.7%. Dividends are distributed quarterly, and the utility has maintained 32 consecutive years of dividend payments. Over the past five years, dividend growth annualized at 4.0%, with the most recent ex-dividend date on September 30, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage includes 1 analyst rating, categorized as Hold. The mean price target is $31.00, representing a 0.2% premium over the last close of $30.94. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $86.8M and EPS of $1.68, reflecting 20.9% EPS growth. The company has beaten EPS expectations in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is November 5, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Cash balances are low at $555,000 relative to $189.7M in total debt as of June 30, 2026.
- Ongoing capital expenditure requirements could continue to generate negative free cash flow, which stood at -$18.9M in FY2025.
- Shareholder dilution has occurred over time, evidenced by a 21.4% increase in share count over the trailing five years.
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 YORW AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of The York Water Company (YORW). 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: YORW income statement, YORW balance sheet, YORW key metrics, YORW analyst forecast, YORW chart. See the YORW stock overview for the latest quote and news.
YORW AI stock analysis FAQ
What dividend does The York Water Company pay?
The York Water Company pays a forward annual dividend of $0.91 per share, which equates to a 2.95% dividend yield. It pays quarterly, maintains a 56.7% payout ratio, and has paid dividends for 32 consecutive years.
When is the next earnings report for YORW?
The company's next earnings date is scheduled for November 5, 2026. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate EPS of $1.68 on revenue of $86.8M.
How much debt does The York Water Company carry?
As of June 30, 2026, total debt was $189.7M and net debt was $189.1M against $555,000 in cash. Its debt-to-equity ratio sits at 0.64.
How does YORW stock valuation compare to utility peers?
The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 19.2x, below the US-listed Utilities peer median of 20.6x. However, its forward P/E of 25.4x and EV-to-EBITDA of 14.7x trade above peer medians of 17.2x and 12.1x.