U.S. Investor-Owned Utilities M&A Update, Year-End 2016

19 Jan 2017
Available with corporate subscription

The U.S. water & wastewater utility landscape continues to evolve with the role of investor-owned utilities continuing to scale their positions through mergers & acquisitions (M&A). Central to this evolution are municipalities, and private water system owners seeking alternative solutions to confront rising capital and operating costs associated with tightening environmental regulations, deteriorating infrastructure, and rising demand.

In 2016, Bluefield Research’s quarterly analysis of M&A deal-flow for IOUs shows the volume and value of activity outpacing 2015. More than US$622 million of acquisitions for 56 deals were completed in 2016.

Bluefield Insight clients receive access to 10-slides of analysis (PDF) as well as accompanying data spreadsheet of deals (xlsx) by asset, asset type, segment, company, deal size, customers and total value.

Additional analysis is available through our recent report on US Private Water Utilities – available for purchase and download.

Bluefield Takeaways

  • In 2016, Bluefield Research’s quarterly analysis of M&A deal-flow for IOUs shows the volume and value of activity outpacing 2015.
  • More than US$622 million of acquisitions for 56 deals were completed in 2016.
  • Currently, five states have enacted legislation supporting fair market value assessments and asset consolidation of public-owned utilities. Another four states are preceding toward similar regulations.