The York Water CoYORW -0.56%71 Operating Margin % is 31.65% as of Mar. 2026, which is 28% below its 10-year median of 43.91. GuruFocus rates YORW with a GF Score™ of 71/100 and a GF Value™ of $38.86 (Modestly Undervalued). The stock has 7 warning signs investors should review. Among 499 Utilities - Regulated companies, The York Water Co ranks better than 90.78% on this metric.
The York Water Co (NAS:YORW) Operating Margin % Explanation
Just like Gross Margin %, it is important to see a company maintains its operating margin over time. Among the same industry, a company with higher operating margin is more efficient in its operation. It is also more stable during industry slowdown or recessions. Peter Lynch prefers those with higher margins than those with lower margins.
Be Aware
Operating Margin % can be manipulated by adjusting the rate of depreciation, depletion and amortization (DDA).
If a company is facing competition, its Operating Margin % may decline. Often the Operating Margin % declines well before the company's Revenue or even profit decline. Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important indicator of whether the company is facing problems.
For instance, by 2012, Nokia (NOK)'s problems were well known and its stock had lost more than 90% of its market value since 2007. But Nokias Operating Margin % had already been in decline since 2002, although its Earnings per Share (Diluted) were still rising. Investors who paid attention to Operating Margin % would have avoided this huge loss. The same can be said for Research-in-Motion (RIMM).
Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important screening filter for GuruFocus. GuruFocus's Buffett-Munger screener requires that the profit margin is either consistent or expanding. The Model Portfolio of the Buffett-Munger screener has outperformed the market every year since inception in 2009.
The York Water Co Operating Margin % Related Terms
The York Water Co Operating Margin % Historical Data
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The historical data trend for The York Water Co's Operating Margin % 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.
YORW vs CWCO, CDZI, ARTNA: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Utilities - Regulated Water subindustry, The York Water Co's Operating Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Operating Margin % 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.
The York Water Co Operating Margin % vs Utilities - Regulated Industry
For the Utilities - Regulated industry and Utilities sector, The York Water Co's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where The York Water Co's Operating Margin % falls into.
Operating Margin % - also known as operating income margin, operating profit margin and return on sales (ROS) - is the ratio of Operating Income divided by net sales or Revenue, usually presented in percent.
The York Water Co's Operating Margin % for the fiscal year that ended in Dec. 2025 is calculated as
* 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.
The York Water Co (YORW) has a Operating Margin % of 31.65% as of Mar. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on The York Water Co and its competitors. This is 28% below median its historical median of 43.91. Over the past decade, The York Water Co's Operating Margin % has ranged from 35.11 to 48.76. According to the industry distribution chart, The York Water Co ranks #46 out of 499 companies in the Utilities - Regulated industry, placing it in the top 9.2%.
Is The York Water Co's Operating Margin % too high?
The York Water Co's current Operating Margin % of 31.65% is 28% below median its 10-year median of 43.91. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 35.11 to a high of 48.76. The Utilities - Regulated industry median Operating Margin % is 14.97. The York Water Co's value of 31.65% is 111.4% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, The York Water Co ranks #46 out of 499 companies in the Utilities - Regulated industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, The York Water Co has a GF Score™ of 71/100 and is considered Modestly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does The York Water Co's Operating Margin % compare to CWCO and CDZI?
According to the Utilities - Regulated industry distribution chart, The York Water Co ranks #46 out of 499 companies for Operating Margin %. This places The York Water Co in the top 9% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Operating Margin % is 14.97. The York Water Co's value of 31.65% is 111.4% above this benchmark. Historically, The York Water Co's own Operating Margin % has ranged from 35.11 to 48.76 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 43.91 vs. the industry median of 14.97, The York Water 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 Operating Margin % for an Utilities - Regulated company?
The median Operating Margin % among Utilities - Regulated companies is 14.97, based on 499 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Operating Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Operating Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. The York Water Co's current Operating Margin % of 31.65% is 111.4% 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 Operating Margin % mean?
A high Operating Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on The York Water Co and its competitors. For the Utilities - Regulated industry, the median Operating Margin % is 14.97 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. The York Water Co's current Operating Margin % is 31.65%, which is 28% below median its own 10-year median of 43.91. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is The York Water Co stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, The York Water Co (YORW) is currently considered Modestly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $38.86, compared to a current price of $30.26 — trading 22.1% below its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 31.65%, which is 28% below median its 10-year median of 43.91 and 111.4% above the Utilities - Regulated industry median of 14.97. The York Water Co's overall GF Score™ is 71/100 with 7 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Operating Margin % calculated?
Operating Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For The York Water Co (YORW), the current Operating Margin % is 31.65% as of Mar. 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 The York Water Co (YORW) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, The York Water Co stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $30.26 is trading 22.1% below its estimated GF Value™ of $38.86.
GuruFocus considers The York Water Co to be Modestly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for YORW:
Operating Margin %: 31.65% (28% below median its 10-year median of 43.91)
GF Value™: $38.86 vs. price of $30.26 (22.1% below fair value)
Industry Position: 111.4% above the Utilities - Regulated median (#46 of 499)
No single metric tells the full story. See the YORW stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
The York Water Co is the investor-owned water utility in the United States. The primary business of the company is to impound, purify to meet or exceed safe drinking water standards and distribute water. The company also owns and operates three wastewater collection systems and twelve wastewater collection and treatment systems. The company operates within its franchised water and wastewater territory, which covers portions of municipalities within four counties in south-central Pennsylvania. It provides services to diversified, manufacturing such items as fixtures and furniture, electrical machinery, food products, paper, ordnance units, textile products, air conditioning systems, laundry detergent, barbells, and motorcycles.
71GF Score
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