May 1 (Reuters) - American Water Works ( AWK ) beat

estimates for first-quarter revenue on Wednesday, as pricing

actions during the quarter helped the utility offset high

chemical prices.

The company provides drinking water and offers wastewater

management to residential and industrial consumers across 24

states in North America.

It said it was on track to meet its capital investment plan

for the year with investments of $720 million in the first three

months.

"We completed our key financing objective with the

successful $1.4 billion debt issuance, which helps fund our

robust infrastructure investment program," CEO Susan Hardwick

said.

The firm affirmed its 2024 earnings per share guidance

range of $5.20 to $5.30, the midpoint of which is in line with

analysts' estimate of $5.25 per share.

Total operating revenue was $1.01 billion for the quarter

ended March 31, compared with Wall Street expectations of $981.8

million, according to LSEG data.

The New Jersey-based company reported quarterly profit of 95

cents per share, from 91 cents per share a year earlier.