American Water and Essential Utilities Join Forces in Significant Agreement to Transform US Water Industry
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 27 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Merger Announcement: American Water Works and Essential Utilities have agreed to an all-stock, tax-free merger, creating a major regulated water and wastewater utility in the U.S. with a projected market capitalization of $40 billion.
Transaction Details: Essential stockholders will receive 0.305 shares of American Water for each share owned, reflecting a 10% premium, and the combined entity will serve approximately 4.7 million connections across 17 states.
Operational Benefits: The merger is expected to enhance infrastructure investment and operational efficiency, with American Water's CEO emphasizing the commitment to providing reliable and affordable services.
Leadership and Future Plans: Christopher H. Franklin will become executive vice chair, while John C. Griffith remains CEO; the merger is anticipated to be completed by the end of Q1 2027, pending regulatory approvals.
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Analyst Views on XYL
Wall Street analysts forecast XYL stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 126.100
Low
135.00
Averages
167.50
High
182.00
Current: 126.100
Low
135.00
Averages
167.50
High
182.00
About XYL
Xylem Inc. is a water technology company. The Company designs, manufactures and services engineered products and solutions across a range of critical applications, primarily in the water sector. The Company’s Water Infrastructure segment focuses on the transportation and treatment of water, offering a range of products including water, wastewater and storm water pumps, treatment equipment, and controls and systems. Its Applied Water segment's products include pumps, valves, heat exchangers, controls and dispensing equipment. Its Measurement & Control Solutions segment develops advanced technology solutions that enable intelligent use and conservation of critical water and energy resources as well as analytical instrumentation used in the testing of water. The Company’s Integrated Solutions & Services segment provides equipment systems for industrial needs, full-scale outsourcing of operations and maintenance and municipal services, including odor and corrosion control services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Cautious Future Outlook: Xylem projects FY2026 adjusted EPS between $5.35 and $5.56, below market estimates of $5.56, which may affect investor confidence regarding future growth.
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- Yield Metrics: The forward yield of 1.23% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable income.
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See More
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- Sales Growth: The company posted quarterly sales of $2.397 billion, exceeding market expectations of $2.374 billion, reflecting robust demand in key markets that drove overall performance.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Xylem projects FY2026 adjusted EPS between $5.35 and $5.56, below market estimates of $5.56, which may affect investor confidence regarding future growth.
- Analyst Rating Adjustments: Following the earnings announcement, Barclays and RBC Capital lowered their price targets for Xylem to $156 and $162, respectively, while maintaining an
See More
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- Total Tariffs Paid: Since the implementation of widespread trade tariffs by the Trump administration in 2018, U.S. states have paid a total of $199 billion in tariffs, with California leading at $38 billion, significantly increasing operational costs for small businesses and hindering economic recovery.
- Voter Opposition: Recent polling indicates that 54% of voters oppose Trump's tariff policies, reflecting strong public dissatisfaction with economic burdens, which could exert pressure on the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections.
- Small Business Struggles: Many small business owners are facing operational challenges due to tariffs; for instance, Hiblow USA in Michigan incurred $1.2 million in tariff costs, forcing the company to halt expansion plans that would have created 3-4 new jobs.
- Consumer Impact: A toy store owner closed her 44-year-old business due to tariffs that led to price increases and declining sales, illustrating the dual impact of tariffs on consumers and small businesses alike.
See More
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- Strong Performance: Xylem achieved record revenue and earnings per share in Q4 2025, with quarterly EPS reaching $1.42, a 20% year-over-year increase, demonstrating the company's robust execution in its operational transformation.
- Order Growth: The company reported a 7% increase in orders for Q4, with Measurement & Control Solutions (MCS) orders growing over 20%, indicating strong market demand for smart metering, although some projects have been pushed into 2026.
- Future Outlook: Management expects 2026 revenue to range between $9.1 billion and $9.2 billion, facing a near-term top-line headwind of approximately 2% due to portfolio simplification, yet remains committed to enhancing long-term growth and profitability.
- Strategic Transformation: Xylem is entering Phase 2 of its operational model transformation, focusing on sales force effectiveness and product innovation, aiming to drive sustainable growth through the acquisition of higher-quality revenue.
See More
Xylem Inc. Issues 2026 Guidance Below Expectations, Shares Drop
- 2026 Guidance Shortfall: Xylem's forecast for 2026 revenue at $9.1 to $9.2 billion falls short of Wall Street's $9.33 billion expectation, causing shares to plunge by 10% at one point, indicating investor concerns about future growth prospects.
- Q4 Performance Beats Estimates: Despite the cautious outlook, Xylem reported Q4 revenue of $2.4 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $2.37 billion, with adjusted earnings at $1.42 per share, slightly above the $1.41 expected, demonstrating strong demand across key markets.
- Margin Expansion: The fourth-quarter EBITDA margin increased by 220 basis points to 23.2%, driven by productivity gains and pricing strategies, effectively offsetting inflation and tariff pressures, showcasing the company's efficiency in cost management.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: Xylem announced an 8% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.43 per share, payable on March 24, reflecting the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders while achieving revenue growth, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
See More
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- Dividend Increase: Xylem has declared a quarterly dividend increase from $0.40 to $0.43 per share, representing a 7.5% rise, which indicates the company's ongoing improvement in cash flow and profitability, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Yield Metrics: The forward yield of 1.23% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable income.
- Payment Schedule: The new dividend will be payable on March 24, with a record date of February 24 and an ex-dividend date also on February 24, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying shareholder loyalty.
- Financial Performance: Xylem has exceeded top-line and bottom-line estimates in its latest earnings report, showcasing the company's sustained growth potential in the water sector, and combined with the dividend increase, may elevate market expectations for its future performance.
See More
Xylem Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations with Strong Outlook
- Earnings Performance: Xylem reported a Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $1.42, beating expectations by $0.01, indicating the company's robust profitability and competitive position in the water sector.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q4 revenue of $2.4 billion, a 6.2% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $30 million, reflecting strong demand and business expansion in water solutions.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Xylem forecasts full-year 2026 revenue between $9.1 billion and $9.2 billion, although below the $9.33 billion consensus, it still indicates a growth potential of 1% to 3%, showcasing the company's confidence in future market conditions.
- Margin Improvement Expectations: The adjusted EBITDA margin for 2026 is expected to be approximately 22.9% to 23.3%, an increase of 70 to 110 basis points from 2025, demonstrating ongoing improvements in cost control and operational efficiency.
See More
