When you think about high-stakes investing, your mind probably goes to AI startups in Silicon Valley or volatile crypto plays. You likely don’t think about a modest water utility in Pennsylvania. But honestly, The York Water Company (YORW) is kind of a legend in the world of boring-but-beautiful stocks. We aren't just talking about a stable business. We are talking about the longest-running dividend streak in America.
Since 1816.
Think about that for a second. This company was paying out cash to shareholders while James Madison was in the White House. It survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, and two world wars. Now, as we navigate early 2026, the york water stock price is catching eyes again, not because of some flashy pivot to tech, but because of old-fashioned infrastructure and reliable rate hikes.
What is Moving the York Water Stock Price Right Now?
As of mid-January 2026, the york water stock price has been hovering around $33.94. It's had a pretty solid run lately, gaining ground for seven days in a row at one point this month. You’ve gotta love that kind of momentum in a utility.
Why the bump? Basically, the market is reacting to a mix of insider confidence and big-time infrastructure completion. On January 16, 2026, we saw multiple insiders, including the VP of Engineering, Mark S. Snyder, and CFO Matthew E. Poff, buying up shares. It wasn't just them either; 18 different insiders have been stacking shares recently. When the people running the pipes are opening their own wallets, it's usually a signal that they like what they see on the horizon.
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The Lake Williams Win
One massive factor in the company’s recent valuation is the Lake Williams Dam project. This wasn't just a minor patch-up. It was a total rehabilitation of a critical 1.14-billion-gallon reservoir. The project was so successful it actually snagged the "2025 Top Project" award from the Central Penn Business Journal. This upgrade adds 60 million gallons of extra storage capacity. For a water utility, capacity is king. It means they are ready for the next 100 years of population growth in York, Adams, and Lancaster counties.
Dividends: The 620th Consecutive Win
You can't talk about YORW without mentioning the dividend. It’s the soul of the company. In late 2025, they declared their 620th consecutive quarterly dividend.
They also bumped the payout by about 4%. The new quarterly rate is $0.228 per share, which was paid out on January 15, 2026. This isn't a "get rich quick" yield—it's roughly 2.69% right now—but it’s a "get rich slow and never worry" yield.
Why the Dividend Matters for the Stock Price
- Consistency: 209 years without missing a payment.
- Growth: 29 consecutive years of increasing the dividend.
- Safety: In a shaky economy, investors flee to "widow and orphan" stocks like this.
While the yield might look low compared to some tech-heavy REITs, the reliability is unmatched. Honestly, most companies can't even keep a CEO for five years, let alone keep a dividend check coming for two centuries.
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The Reality of the Financials: Revenue vs. Costs
It’s not all sunshine and flowing water. Managing a utility in 2026 is expensive. In their most recent filings for the third quarter of 2025, President JT Hand reported that while operating revenues hit $20.3 million (an increase over the previous year), net income has been a bit of a tug-of-war.
Operation and maintenance expenses are rising. Interest on debt isn't exactly cheap these days. To combat this, York Water filed a rate request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in May 2025. They are looking to recover costs from roughly $145 million in investments made through early 2027.
When the Commission approves these rate hikes—and they usually do, given the necessity of the service—it translates directly to a more robust bottom line. This regulatory "moat" is exactly why long-term investors don't sweat the small stuff.
Is the Current Price a Bargain?
If you look at the technicals, some analysts are getting pretty bullish. Some forecasts for December 2026 are pointing toward a price target of $41.82. If that holds true, you're looking at a potential 20%+ upside from the current york water stock price.
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But let's be real. Nobody buys York Water for a 20% swing in three months. You buy it because it’s a defensive fortress.
The stock currently trades at a P/E ratio of around 24.4. That's a bit higher than some of its larger peers, but you're paying a premium for that legendary dividend history and the localized, tightly managed nature of the company. It serves about 212,000 people. It’s small enough to be efficient but big enough to have institutional respect.
What Most People Get Wrong About YORW
A common misconception is that York Water is just a "water" company. They’ve been aggressively expanding into wastewater management.
They recently acquired the wastewater system for the Pine Run Retirement Community. This is a smart play. Wastewater often allows for better rate structures and creates a "stickier" relationship with the municipalities they serve. By diversifying into the "other" side of the pipes, they are effectively doubling their potential revenue per household in their territory.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you’re watching the york water stock price, don't just stare at the daily ticker. It’s a waste of time. Instead, focus on these moves:
- Monitor the PA PUC Decisions: The outcome of the $145 million rate request filing is the biggest catalyst for 2026. If they get the full request, expect a price jump.
- Check the DRIP: York Water offers a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP). Because the stock has such a long history of steady growth, compounding those dividends without brokerage fees is the most effective way to build a position here.
- Watch Insider Filings: As we saw in January, when the CEO and CFO buy, it’s usually time to pay attention. They know the status of the infrastructure better than any analyst on Wall Street.
- Look for Acquisitions: Small, municipal wastewater systems are the growth engine. Every time YORW picks up a local system, they add long-term, regulated cash flow.
York Water isn't going to make you a millionaire overnight. It might, however, be the stock that helps you stay a millionaire once you get there. With the Lake Williams Dam now fully operational and a fresh dividend hike in the books, the foundation for the next few years looks as solid as the concrete in their new spillway.