Insider Trading March 24, 2026

California Water Operations Executive Disposes of Stock Amid Weak Q4 Results

Vice President of Operations Michael S. Mares Jr. sold nearly 3,900 shares as the company reported an earnings and revenue shortfall and announced an upcoming executive retirement

By Jordan Park CWT
California Water Operations Executive Disposes of Stock Amid Weak Q4 Results
CWT

Michael S. Mares Jr., Vice President, Operations at California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT), sold 3,892 shares on March 20, 2026, at $44.00 per share. The trade, disclosed on a Form 4 filing, reduced his direct holdings to 8,524.60 shares. The transaction took place while the stock was trading near $44.27, closer to its 52-week low than its high. Separately, the company missed Q4 2025 EPS and revenue forecasts and announced the pending retirement of its Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs.

Key Points

  • Michael S. Mares Jr., Vice President, Operations at California Water Service Group, sold 3,892 shares on March 20, 2026, at $44.00 per share for total proceeds of $171,248.
  • After the transaction Mares directly owns 8,524.60 shares; the sale was disclosed in a Form 4 filing with the SEC.
  • California Water Service Group reported Q4 2025 results that missed expectations on both EPS ($0.19 vs. $0.35 expected) and revenue ($220 million vs. $237.3 million expected), and announced the upcoming retirement of Greg A. Milleman, Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs.

Michael S. Mares Jr., who serves as Vice President, Operations at California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT), sold 3,892 shares of the utility's common stock on March 20, 2026. The shares were disposed of at $44.00 apiece, producing total proceeds of $171,248, according to a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Following the sale, Mares retains direct ownership of 8,524.60 shares of California Water Service Group. At the time of the transaction the stock was trading around $44.27, a level closer to its 52-week low of $41.29 than its 52-week high of $51.63.

The filing recorded the sale as an open-market transaction. The company disclosure in the Form 4 provides the formal record of the insider sale but does not include further commentary from Mares about the reasons for the disposition.

Separately, an InvestingPro analysis cited within company reporting indicates that CWT appears undervalued at current market prices and highlights the companys 33-year streak of consecutive dividend increases. InvestingPro also offers additional proprietary tips and a comprehensive Fair Value assessment on its platform for subscribers.

California Water Service Group recently released its fourth-quarter 2025 results, which missed analyst expectations on both earnings per share and revenue. The company reported EPS of $0.19 for Q4 2025, below the anticipated $0.35 estimate, a shortfall of 45.71%. Revenue for the quarter was $220 million, falling short of the forecasted $237.3 million by 7.3%.

In corporate governance news, the company announced the forthcoming retirement of Greg A. Milleman, Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs. Mr. Milleman has been with California Water Service Group for 13 years. The company indicated it plans to name his successor prior to his official departure, although a final retirement date has not been set.

These developments - the insider sale, the quarterly results that missed expectations, and the pending retirement of a senior regulatory executive - form the most recent items of note disclosed by California Water Service Group and recorded in public filings and company announcements.

Risks

  • The company's recent Q4 2025 earnings and revenue missed analyst forecasts, which could affect investor confidence in the utilities sector.
  • The stock is trading nearer its 52-week low ($41.29) than its high ($51.63), indicating limited upside at current levels absent new positive catalysts.
  • An upcoming retirement of a senior regulatory executive with 13 years of service introduces temporary leadership uncertainty in rates and regulatory affairs until a successor is named.

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