10 top water stocks to buy in 2024

The best water stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals — while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

10 Popular water stocks picks to buy in 2024

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the bottled or tap water industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap US stocks.

1. American Water Works (AWK)
2. Middlesex Water Company (MSEX)
3. California Water Service Group (CWT)
4. Global Water Resources (GWRS)
5. The York Water Company (YORW)
6. Essential Utilities (WTRG)
7. American States Water Company (AWR)
8. Evoqua Water Technologies (AQUA)
9. The Coca-Cola Company (KO)
10. Nestle SA ADR (NSRGY)

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The water stocks industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering water stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

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How to invest in water stocks

1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps of 2024.
2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like AWK or MSEX.
5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

Take a deeper dive into water stocks

If you're interested in investing in the bottled or tap water industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.

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1. American Water Works (AWK)

American Water Works Company, Inc. , through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It offers water and wastewater services to approximately 1,700 communities in 14 states serving approximately 3.

American Water Works stock opened the day at $134.83 after a previous close of $134.38. The latest price was $135.49 (25-minute delay). American Water Works is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD4.3 billion and employs 6,500 staff.

• Market capitalization: $24,537,956,352
• P/E ratio: 25.496
• PEG ratio: 2.9194

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2. Middlesex Water Company (MSEX)

Middlesex Water Company owns and operates regulated water utility and wastewater systems. It operates in Regulated and Non-Regulated segments. The Regulated segment collects, treats, and distributes water on a retail and wholesale basis to residential, commercial, industrial, and fire protection customers, as well as provides regulated wastewater systems in New Jersey and Delaware.

Middlesex Water Company stock opened the day at $56.72 after a previous close of $56.97. The latest price was $57.28 (25-minute delay). Middlesex Water Company is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$166.3 million and employs 355 staff.

• Market capitalization: $946,431,296
• P/E ratio: 30.1875
• PEG ratio: 10.95

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3. California Water Service Group (CWT)

California Water Service Group, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas. The company is involved in the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution, and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public, and irrigation uses, as well as for fire protection services. It offers its services to approximately 497,700 customer connections in 100 California communities; approximately 6,500 water and wastewater customer connections on the islands of Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii; approximately 38,000 customer connections in the Tacoma, Olympia, Graham, Spanaway, Puyallup, Rainier, Yelm, and Gig Harbor areas; and approximately 11,400 water and wastewater customer connections in Rio Communities, Rio Del Oro, Meadow Lake, Indian Hills, Squaw Valley, Elephant Butte, Morningstar, Sandia Knolls, Juan Tomas, and Cypress Gardens systems.

California Water Service Group stock opened the day at $52.78 after a previous close of $52.68. The latest price was $52.54 (25-minute delay). California Water Service Group is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$934.3 million and employs 1,266 staff.

• Market capitalization: $2,920,624,896
• P/E ratio: 20.0675
• PEG ratio: 2.7043

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4. Global Water Resources (GWRS)

Global Water Resources, Inc. , a water resource management company, owns, operates, and manages regulated water, wastewater, and recycled water systems primarily in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. It serves approximately 82,000 people in approximately 32,000 homes.

Global Water Resources stock opened the day at $12.97 after a previous close of $12.90. The latest price was $12.80 (25-minute delay). Global Water Resources is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$53 million and employs 106 staff.

• Market capitalization: $308,685,152
• P/E ratio: 38.6918
• PEG ratio: 2.7311

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5. The York Water Company (YORW)

The York Water Company impounds, purifies, and distributes drinking water. It owns and operates three wastewater collection systems; ten wastewater collection and treatment systems; and two reservoirs, including Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which hold approximately 2. 2 billion gallons of water.

The York Water Company stock opened the day at $38.28 after a previous close of $38.34. The latest price was $38.52 (25-minute delay). The York Water Company is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$71 million and employs 130 staff.

• Market capitalization: $528,932,000
• P/E ratio: 22.2289
• PEG ratio: 7.71

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6. Essential Utilities (WTRG)

Essential Utilities, Inc. , through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, or natural gas services in the United States. The company operates through Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas segments.

Essential Utilities stock opened the day at $38.85 after a previous close of $38.78. The latest price was $39.16 (25-minute delay). Essential Utilities is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.1 billion and employs 3,258 staff.

• Market capitalization: $10,306,082,816
• P/E ratio: 20.2581
• PEG ratio: 2.2674

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7. American States Water Company (AWR)

American States Water Company, through its subsidiaries, provides water and electric services to residential, commercial, industrial, and other customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Water, Electric, and Contracted Services. The company purchases, produces, distributes, and sells water, as well as distributes electricity.

American States Water Company stock opened the day at $78.11 after a previous close of $77.95. The latest price was $78.14 (25-minute delay). American States Water Company is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$595.7 million and employs 815 staff.

• Market capitalization: $2,737,441,024
• P/E ratio: 21.8839
• PEG ratio: 6.8479

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8. Evoqua Water Technologies (AQUA)

Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. provides water and wastewater treatment systems and technologies, and mobile and emergency water supply solutions and contract services for industrial, commercial, and municipal water treatment markets in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Integrated Solutions and Services, and Applied Product Technologies.

Evoqua Water Technologies is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.9 billion and employs 4,500 staff.

• Market capitalization: $6,103,815,680
• P/E ratio: 77.9375
• PEG ratio: 2.8098

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9. The Coca-Cola Company (KO)

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores.

The Coca-Cola Company stock opened the day at $62.92 after a previous close of $62.88. The latest price was $63.31 (25-minute delay). The Coca-Cola Company is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$46.1 billion and employs 79,100 staff.

• Market capitalization: $270,755,266,560
• P/E ratio: 25.241
• PEG ratio: 2.9336

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10. Nestle SA ADR (NSRGY)

Nestlé S. A. , together with its subsidiaries, operates as a food and beverage company. The company operates through Zone North America; Zone Europe; Zone Asia, Oceania, and Africa; Zone Latin America; Zone Greater China; Nespresso; and Nestlé Health Science segments.

Nestle SA ADR stock opened the day at $104.50 after a previous close of $104.44. The latest price was $105.08 (25-minute delay). Nestle SA ADR is listed on the PINK, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$93.4 billion and employs 270,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $266,665,869,312
• P/E ratio: 22.1152
• PEG ratio: 2.331

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Bottom line

While it’s possible to turn a profit investing in water stocks, keep in mind that — like any investment — water stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions — both in the market and in the bottled or tap water industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.

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