Group 1 - The article emphasizes that dividend-paying stocks, especially those with a history of regular increases, are a low-risk investment option for wealth growth [1][2] - Companies that focus on growing their dividends are often considered blue-chip stocks, which are reliable and stable investments [2][3] Group 2 - American States Water (NYSE: AWR) is highlighted as a "boring but important" company, providing essential water and wastewater services, and has paid dividends since 1931, increasing them for 70 consecutive years [6][7] - The current dividend yield for American States Water is 2.7%, with a payout ratio of 56.2%, indicating a sustainable dividend policy [7] - The company maintains strong financial health, with an operating margin of 30.9% and a net margin of 20.4%, alongside an 11.6% year-over-year growth in earnings per share (EPS) for the latest quarter [8]

Core Viewpoint - American States Water Company (AWR) is set to release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on February 18, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for February 19, 2026, to discuss these results [1] Company Overview - American States Water Company serves over one million people across ten states through its subsidiaries, including Golden State Water Company, Bear Valley Electric Service, and American States Utility Services [1] - Golden State Water Company provides water service to approximately 265,000 customer connections in over 80 communities in California [1] - Bear Valley Electric Service distributes electricity to around 25,000 customer connections in Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas [1] - American States Utility Services offers operations, maintenance, and construction management services for water and wastewater facilities on military bases under long-term contracts with the U.S. government [1] Financial Performance - AWR has consistently paid dividends to shareholders since 1931, increasing them for 71 consecutive years, placing it among a select group of companies on the NYSE [1] - The company has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% in its quarterly dividend rate over the last five years and a 10-year CAGR of 8.3% in its annual dividend payments through 2025 [1] - AWR aims for a long-term CAGR in dividends of more than 7% [1] Regulatory Approvals - In December 2025, Golden State Water Company received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for water revenue increases, resulting in an additional $32.0 million in revenue for 2026 compared to 2025 [1] - The CPUC also approved a request to defer the cost of capital application for Golden State Water Company by another year, postponing the filing originally scheduled for May 1, 2026 [1]

Core Viewpoint - The focus is on providing high-quality investment opportunities, particularly in dividend growth stocks and closed-end funds, aimed at generating stable income and long-term wealth creation for investors [2][3]. Group 1: Investment Strategies - The service emphasizes investments that are leaders within their industry to ensure stability and growth [2]. - There is a specific focus on writing options as a strategy to further enhance income for investors [2]. Group 2: Analyst Background - The leader of the investing group, Cash Builder Opportunities, has 14 years of investing experience and a background as a fiduciary and registered financial advisor [3]. - The group shares model portfolios and research to assist investors in making informed decisions through an active chat room [3]. Group 3: Analyst Disclosures - The analyst has disclosed a beneficial long position in shares of companies such as GOOGL, MSFT, AWR, and PAYX, either through stock ownership or derivatives [4].

Core Viewpoint - Growth investing can be simplified by focusing on dividend stocks, particularly Dividend Kings, which have a long history of increasing payouts and may outperform traditional growth stocks over time [2][6]. Group 1: Dividend Kings - Dividend Kings are companies that have raised their annual per-share dividend payments for at least 50 consecutive years, with only 56 stocks qualifying as of early 2026 [5]. - These companies often represent stable, slow-moving businesses that can provide reliable income and potential for long-term capital appreciation [6]. Group 2: Company Examples - **Automatic Data Processing (ADP)**: - ADP processes payroll for over 1 million corporate customers and is expected to generate $21.8 billion in revenue this fiscal year, a 5.8% increase from the previous year [8]. - The company has a market cap of $103 billion and a dividend yield of 2.48%, with dividends raised for 51 consecutive years [10][12]. - ADP consistently converts 20% to 25% of its revenue into net income, supporting ongoing dividend increases [11]. - **Walmart**: - Walmart has increased its per-share dividend payout for 52 consecutive years and has a market cap of $946 billion [13]. - The current dividend yield is 0.79%, with a stock price increase of 156% over the past three years [15]. - Walmart's extensive reach in the U.S. allows it to maintain significant earnings, funding stock buybacks and sustaining dividends despite low profit margins of 3% to 4% [17]. - **American States Water**: - This utility company has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years, with an average annual increase of over 8% in the past decade [21]. - The company serves over 1 million people and has a market cap of $2.9 billion, with a forward-looking dividend yield of 2.8% [22][24]. - The growing scarcity of potable water and demand for electricity provide American States Water with strong pricing power [23].

Core Viewpoint - Aurwest Resources Corporation has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent with Pacific Bay Minerals Ltd to earn a 50% interest in the Weaver Gold Project over three years [1] Group 1 - Aurwest Resources Corporation is pleased to announce the agreement with Pacific Bay Minerals Ltd [1] - The agreement allows Aurwest to earn a 50% interest in Pacific Bay's 100% owned Weaver Gold Project [1] - The terms of the agreement are structured over a three-year period [1]

Core Viewpoint - York Water is recognized for its long-standing commitment to shareholder dividends, having made 620 consecutive payments over more than two centuries, making it a reliable choice for dividend investors [1][2]. Company Overview: York Water - York Water is the oldest investor-owned water utility in the United States, providing water and wastewater treatment services primarily in southern and central Pennsylvania [4]. - The company generates approximately 64% of its operating revenue from residential customers and 29% from commercial and industrial customers in 2024 [4]. - As a regulated utility, York Water files rate increase requests with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, ensuring steady cash flows to support its dividend payments [6]. Key Financial Metrics: York Water - Current Price: $32.44 [5] - Market Cap: $468 million [5] - Gross Margin: 55.27% [6] - Dividend Yield: 2.70% [6] Company Overview: American States Water - American States Water operates primarily in California and relies on regulated businesses for the majority of its earnings, with its regulated water business contributing 79.2% to its consolidated earnings per share (EPS) of $3.17 in 2024 [8][9]. - The company has a history of 71 consecutive years of raising its dividend, placing it among the elite Dividend Kings [10][12]. Key Financial Metrics: American States Water - Current Price: $73.04 [7] - Market Cap: $2.8 billion [7] - Gross Margin: 51.96% [8] - Dividend Yield: 2.65% [8] Comparative Performance - Over the past 20 years, American States Water has delivered a better total return compared to York Water, highlighting its strong commitment to increasing dividends [11].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of a dividend growth investing strategy, focusing on consistent returns through "base hits and doubles" in investments [1] Group 1: Author's Background - The author has been investing since September 2017 and has a long-standing interest in dividend investing since 2009 [1] - The author runs a blog called "Kody's Dividends," which documents the journey towards financial independence through dividend growth investing [1] - The author is also a contributor to various financial platforms, including Sure Dividend, The Dividend Kings, and iREIT+Hoya Capital [1] Group 2: Investment Philosophy - The core analysis revolves around identifying dividend growth stocks that provide consistent returns [1] - The author aims to transform the dream of financial independence into reality through strategic investments in dividend growth stocks [1]

Core Insights - American States Water (AWR) is experiencing growth due to an expanding customer base in water and electric utility services, leading to increased demand for its offerings [1] - The company has a diversified business model that includes water, electricity, and long-term military contracts, contributing to stable financial performance [1] Growth Outlook & Surprise History - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AWR's 2025 earnings per share (EPS) has risen by 1.22% to $3.32 over the past 60 days [2] - Projected revenues for 2025 are estimated at $629 million, reflecting a growth of 5.63% compared to the reported figure for 2024 [2] - AWR's long-term earnings growth rate is forecasted at 5.65% [2] - The company has exceeded earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.63% [2] Return to Shareholders - AWR has been consistently increasing shareholder value through dividends, currently paying a quarterly dividend of 50.5 cents per share, which annualizes to $2.02 [3] - The current dividend yield stands at 2.73%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite average of 1.41% [3] Investment Plans and Interest Rate Impact - AWR plans to invest $573.1 million from 2025 to 2027 to enhance infrastructure and operations, with capital expenditures for 2025 estimated between $180 million and $210 million [4] - The decline in interest rates, with the U.S. Federal Reserve reducing the benchmark rate by 175 basis points to a range of 3.50-3.75%, is expected to lower AWR's cost of capital and improve margins [5] Debt Structure - AWR's total debt to capital ratio is 47.54%, which is better than the industry average of 50.46% [6] - The times interest earned (TIE) ratio for AWR at the end of Q3 2025 was 4.5, indicating the company can comfortably meet its interest payment obligations [6] Stock Price Performance - Over the past six months, AWR's stock has decreased by 5%, while the industry has seen a growth of 3% [7] Additional Industry Insights - Other top-ranked stocks in the same industry include Ameren (AEE), NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE), and Dominion Energy, Inc. (D), all currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 [10] - AEE has a long-term earnings growth rate of 8.52% with a 2025 EPS estimate of $5.01, indicating an 8.21% year-over-year growth [10] - NEE's long-term earnings growth rate is 8.08%, with a 2025 EPS estimate of $3.69, suggesting a 7.58% year-over-year increase [11] - D has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10.26%, with a 2025 EPS estimate of $3.40, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 22.74% [11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the investment position of the author in YORW, indicating a beneficial long position through various means such as stock ownership and derivatives [1]. Group 1 - The author expresses personal opinions regarding YORW and clarifies that they are not receiving compensation for the article, aside from Seeking Alpha [1]. - There is an emphasis on the necessity for investors to conduct their own due diligence and research before making any investment decisions [2]. - The article highlights that past performance does not guarantee future results, and no specific investment recommendations are provided [3].

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Utility - Water Supply industry is essential for providing clean drinking water and efficient sewer services, with a focus on infrastructure upgrades to meet growing demand and address aging pipelines [1][2][3]. Industry Overview - The industry consists of companies providing drinking water and wastewater services across a vast network of nearly 2.2 million miles of aging pipelines, requiring continuous investment in infrastructure [3]. - Water utilities benefit from lower interest rates, which reduce financing costs and support infrastructure investments [4]. - The U.S. water industry is fragmented, with over 50,000 community water systems and 14,000 wastewater treatment facilities, leading to inefficiencies that consolidation could address [5]. Investment Needs - The U.S. water infrastructure is deteriorating, with an estimated $1.25 trillion needed over the next 20 years for upgrades, while the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has committed $50 billion for improvements [6]. - The American Society of Civil Engineers rates U.S. drinking water infrastructure at C- and wastewater systems at D+, highlighting the urgent need for upgrades [6]. Market Performance - The Zacks Utility Water Supply industry has underperformed compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the broader utilities sector over the past 12 months, gaining 6.1% versus 12.5% for the sector and 12.4% for the S&P 500 [11]. - The industry is currently trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 15.89X, lower than the S&P 500's 17.94X and the sector's 15.92X [14]. Earnings Outlook - The Zacks Utility Water Supply industry has a positive earnings outlook, with an aggregate earnings estimate of $2.27 indicating year-over-year growth of 7.1% [9]. - The Zacks Industry Rank 97 places the industry in the top 40% of over 243 Zacks industries, suggesting bullish prospects for the near term [7][8]. Company Highlights - **American States Water Company (AWR)**: Plans to invest $180-$210 million in 2025 for infrastructure upgrades, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 5.65% and a current dividend yield of 2.75% [18][19]. - **American Water Works Company (AWK)**: Aims to invest $3.3 billion in 2025 and $19-$20 billion from 2026 to 2030 for infrastructure strengthening, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 6.77% and a current dividend yield of 2.49% [23][24]. - **Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG)**: Plans to invest $7.8 billion from 2025 to 2029 for pipeline rehabilitation, with a current dividend yield of 3.42% [27][28].