02:05 PM EDT, 05/03/2026 (MT Newswires) -- CFRA, an independent research provider, has provided MT Newswires with the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

We lower our 12-month target by $1 to $139, 21.2x our 2027 EPS estimate, a discount to AWK's five-year forward average of 25.1x. We keep our 2026 EPS view at $6.09 and lift 2027 EPS by $0.08 to $6.58. The Q1 EPS miss (-7.4%) is the latest in a series of misses, with seven in the last nine quarters coming in below expectations at an average of -3.1%. Our Hold opinion reflects our moderately balanced view of risks and rewards, particularly around the WTRG merger, though regulatory approval in Kentucky provides some relief to transaction uncertainty. We think higher for longer interest rates will pressure valuations. In the FOMC's most recent meeting, three regional presidents backed the hold on rates but rejected the statement's easing bias, which we interpret as a signal that the Fed's next move may not be a rate cut. We think the acceleration of closing expectations (June 30, 2026 vs. August 2026) for the Nexus Water Group Systems will boost 2026 sales, as we now anticipate 7% Y/Y growth.