American Water Works Co (XTER:AWC) Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio: 5.14 (As of Jul. 19, 2026) — 12% Below Median

Author: Vera Yuan Vera Yuan
Vera Yuan
Vera Yuan
Director of Data and Quant Analytics at GuruFocus
Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
Reviewed by: Charlie Tian Charlie Tian
Charlie Tian
Charlie Tian
Founder & CEO of GuruFocus
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.

XTER:AWC American Water Works Co Inc XTER:AWC
84 GF Score
Price €114.00
GF Value €136.86
Valuation Modestly Undervalued
! 3 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is American Water Works Co Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio?

American Water Works Co XTER:AWC 84 Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is 5.14 as of Jul. 19, 2026, which is 12% below its 10-year median of 5.84. GuruFocus rates XTER:AWC with a GF Score™ of 84/100 and a GF Value™ of €136.86 (Modestly Undervalued). The stock has 3 warning signs investors should review. Among 442 Utilities - Regulated companies, American Water Works Co ranks worse than 93.21% on this metric.

As of today (2026-07-19), American Water Works Co's current share price is €114.00. American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted Revenue per Share for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 was €22.18. American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio for today is 5.14.

The historical rank and industry rank for American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio or its related term are showing as below:

XTER:AWC' s Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 4.21   Med: 5.84   Max: 9.16
Current: 5.33

During the past years, American Water Works Co's highest Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio was 9.16. The lowest was 4.21. And the median was 5.84.

XTER:AWC's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is ranked worse than
93.21% of 442 companies
in the Utilities - Regulated industry
Industry Median: 1.44 vs XTER:AWC: 5.33

The Shiller PE Ratio was first used by professor Robert Shiller. He uses E10 for his Shiller PE Ratio calculation. E10 is the average of the inflation adjusted earnings per share of a company over the past 10 years. The similar calculation is applied by GuruFocus to calculate the Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio. The Cyclically Adjusted Revenue per Share is the average of the inflation adjusted revenue per share of a company over the past 10 years.

American Water Works Co's adjusted revenue per share data for the three months ended in Mar. 2026 was €5.354. Add all the adjusted revenue per share for the past 10 years together and divide 10 will get our Cyclically Adjusted Revenue per Share, which is €22.18 for the trailing ten years ended in Mar. 2026.

Shiller PE for Stocks: The True Measure of Stock Valuation


American Water Works Co  (XTER:AWC) Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio Explanation

Compared with the regular PS Ratio, which works poorly for cyclical businesses, the Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio smoothed out the fluctuations of revenue during business cycles. Therefore it is more accurate in reflecting the valuation of the company.

If a company has consistent business performance, the Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio should give similar results to regular PS Ratio.


American Water Works Co Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio Related Terms


American Water Works Co Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

American Water Works Co Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio Chart

American Water Works Co Annual Data
Trend Dec16 Dec17 Dec18 Dec19 Dec20 Dec21 Dec22 Dec23 Dec24 Dec25
Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio
Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only 9.04 6.84 5.71 5.20 5.25

American Water Works Co Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only 6.06 5.65 5.60 5.25 5.37

XTER:AWC vs WTRG, AWR, CWT: Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio Comparison

For the Utilities - Regulated Water subindustry, American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


American Water Works Co Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio vs Utilities - Regulated Industry

For the Utilities - Regulated industry and Utilities sector, American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio falls into.


XTER:AWC
84GF Score
American Water Works Co Inc XTER:AWC
Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

American Water Works Co Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio Calculation

Like the Shiller PE Ratio, the Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio takes the Revenue per Share from the past 10 years, adjusts it for inflation, and then calculates the average. This average is then used for the P/S calculation. Because it considers this 10-year average, it's often referred to as the CAPS Ratio.

The Shiller PE Ratio was first used by professor Robert Shiller to measure the valuation of the overall market. The similar calculation is applied by GuruFocus to calculate the Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio.

American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio for today is calculated as

Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio=Share Price/ Cyclically Adjusted Revenue per Share
=114.00/22.18
=5.14

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted Revenue per Share for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 is calculated as:

For example, American Water Works Co's adjusted Revenue per Share data for the three months ended in Mar. 2026 was:

Adj_RevenuePerShare=Revenue per Share/CPI of Mar. 2026 (Change)*Current CPI (Mar. 2026)
=5.354/330.2130*330.2130
=5.354

Current CPI (Mar. 2026) = 330.2130.

American Water Works Co Quarterly Data

Revenue per Share CPI Adj_RevenuePerShare
201606 4.135 241.018 5.665
201609 4.655 241.428 6.367
201612 4.247 241.432 5.809
201703 3.949 243.801 5.349
201706 4.196 244.955 5.656
201709 4.387 246.819 5.869
201712 3.876 246.524 5.192
201803 3.448 249.554 4.562
201806 4.079 251.989 5.345
201809 4.621 252.439 6.045
201812 4.083 251.233 5.367
201903 3.975 254.202 5.164
201906 4.313 256.143 5.560
201909 5.082 256.759 6.536
201912 4.485 256.974 5.763
202003 4.220 258.115 5.399
202006 4.568 257.797 5.851
202009 5.033 260.280 6.385
202012 4.101 260.474 5.199
202103 4.098 264.877 5.109
202106 4.556 271.696 5.537
202109 5.100 274.310 6.139
202112 4.624 278.802 5.477
202203 4.201 287.504 4.825
202206 4.870 296.311 5.427
202209 6.005 296.808 6.681
202212 4.829 296.797 5.373
202303 4.710 301.836 5.153
202306 5.192 305.109 5.619
202309 5.608 307.789 6.017
202312 4.828 306.746 5.197
202403 4.770 312.332 5.043
202406 5.474 314.175 5.753
202409 6.113 315.301 6.402
202412 5.882 315.605 6.154
202503 5.417 319.799 5.593
202506 5.673 322.561 5.808
202509 6.340 324.800 6.446
202512 5.566 324.054 5.672
202603 5.354 330.213 5.354

Add all the adjusted revenue per share together and divide 10 will get our Cyclically Adjusted Revenue per Share.

Please note that we use the CPI data of the country/region where the company is headquartered. If the CPI data for that country/region is not available, then we will use the CPI data of the United States as default.

What does a Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio of 5.14 mean?
American Water Works Co (XTER:AWC) has a Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio of 5.14 as of Jul. 19, 2026. Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is the ratio of share price to a company's inflation-adjusted revenue per share over a 10-year period. View historical data on American Water Works Co and its competitors. This is 12% below median its historical median of 5.84. Over the past decade, American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio has ranged from 4.21 to 9.16. According to the industry distribution chart, American Water Works Co ranks #412 out of 442 companies in the Utilities - Regulated industry, placing it in the top 93.2%.
Is American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio too high?
American Water Works Co's current Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio of 5.14 is 12% below median its 10-year median of 5.84. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 4.21 to a high of 9.16. The Utilities - Regulated industry median Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is 1.44. American Water Works Co's value of 5.14 is 256.9% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, American Water Works Co ranks #412 out of 442 companies in the Utilities - Regulated industry, which is in the bottom quartile relative to peers. Overall, American Water Works Co has a GF Score™ of 84/100 and is considered Modestly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does American Water Works Co's Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio compare to WTRG and AWR?
According to the Utilities - Regulated industry distribution chart, American Water Works Co ranks #412 out of 442 companies for Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio. This places American Water Works Co in the lower half of its industry. The industry median Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is 1.44. American Water Works Co's value of 5.14 is 256.9% above this benchmark. Historically, American Water Works Co's own Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio has ranged from 4.21 to 9.16 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 5.84 vs. the industry median of 1.44, American Water Works Co has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio for an Utilities - Regulated company?
The median Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio among Utilities - Regulated companies is 1.44, based on 442 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. American Water Works Co's current Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio of 5.14 is 256.9% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio mean?
A high Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is the ratio of share price to a company's inflation-adjusted revenue per share over a 10-year period. View historical data on American Water Works Co and its competitors. For the Utilities - Regulated industry, the median Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is 1.44 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. American Water Works Co's current Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is 5.14, which is 12% below median its own 10-year median of 5.84. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is American Water Works Co stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, American Water Works Co (XTER:AWC) is currently considered Modestly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is €136.86, compared to a current price of €114.00 — trading 16.7% below its estimated fair value. The current Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is 5.14, which is 12% below median its 10-year median of 5.84 and 256.9% above the Utilities - Regulated industry median of 1.44. American Water Works Co's overall GF Score™ is 84/100 with 3 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio calculated?
Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For American Water Works Co (XTER:AWC), the current Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is 5.14 as of Jul. 19, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is American Water Works Co (XTER:AWC) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, American Water Works Co stock appears to be undervalued. The current stock price of €114.00 is trading 16.7% below its estimated GF Value™ of €136.86. GuruFocus considers American Water Works Co to be Modestly Undervalued.

Key valuation signals for XTER:AWC:

  • Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio: 5.14 (12% below median its 10-year median of 5.84)
  • GF Value™: €136.86 vs. price of €114.00 (16.7% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 84/100 with 3 warning signs
  • Industry Position: 256.9% above the Utilities - Regulated median (#412 of 442)

No single metric tells the full story. See the XTER:AWC stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


American Water Works Co Business Description

Address 1 Water Street, Camden, NJ, USA, 08102-1658
American Water Works is the largest investor-owned US water and wastewater utility, serving nearly 4 million customers in 14 states. It provides water and wastewater services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers and operates predominantly in regulated markets. The company's nonregulated business is water services for military bases, which operates under long-term contracts with regulated-like returns. The proposed Essential Utilities acquisition would add regulated water and wastewater utilities in Ohio, North Carolina, and Texas while increasing its presence in Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.
84GF Score

Get the complete analysis for XTER:AWC

Cyclically Adjusted PS Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

€114.00
Price
€136.86
GF Value