STOCK TITAN

American States Water (NYSE: AWR) grants multi-year RSU and performance awards

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

American States Water Company approved new equity awards for key executives. On March 12, 2026, the compensation committee granted time-vested restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units to its CEO and several senior officers across American States Water, Golden State Water, and American States Utility Services.

CEO Robert J. Sprowls received 7,362 time-vested units and a 22,088-unit performance award. Other executives received between 770 and 1,124 time-vested units and between 769 and 1,125 performance units. Time-vested awards vest 33%, 33%, and 34% on the first three anniversaries, while performance awards vest 33%, 33%, and 34% on December 31, 2026, 2027, and 2028, subject to death, disability, or retirement provisions and specified performance criteria.

Positive

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Negative

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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): March 12, 2026
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California
001-14431
95-4676679
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
630 East Foothill Blvd.
San Dimas
CA
91773-1212
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(909) 394-3600
Registrant's telephone number, including area code

GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California001-1200895-1243678
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(Commission File Number)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
630 East Foothill Blvd.San DimasCA91773-1212
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
American States Water Company Common SharesAWRNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.



Section 5 - Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02(e). Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 12, 2026, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an award of time-vested restricted stock units and performance awards in the form of restricted stock units to Robert J. Sprowls, President and Chief Executive Officer of American States Water Company, Golden State Water Company, and American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries; Eva G. Tang, Senior Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of American States Water Company, Golden State Water Company, and American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries and Treasurer of American States Water Company; Paul J. Rowley, Senior Vice President – Regulated Water Utility of Golden State Water Company; Christopher H. Connor, Senior Vice President – American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and Gladys M. Farrow, Assistant Secretary of American States Water Company, Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Golden State Water Company, and Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Mr. Sprowls, Ms. Tang, Mr. Rowley, Mr. Connor and Ms. Farrow were awarded time-vested restricted stock units in the amount of 7,362, 1,071, 1,071, 1,124 and 770 restricted stock units, respectively, effective March 12, 2026. These awards vest and restrictions lapse on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date in the percentages of 33%, 33% and 34%, respectively, or earlier on the date of death, disability or retirement of the executive. Under the terms of each restricted stock unit grant, each officer will be entitled to receive dividends payable in additional restricted stock units equal to the amount of dividends payable on an equivalent number of the Company’s common shares.

The target amount of the performance awards granted to Mr. Sprowls, Ms. Tang, Mr. Rowley, Mr. Connor and Ms. Farrow is 22,088, 1,071, 1,071, 1,125 and 769, respectively. These awards vest and restrictions lapse on December 31, 2026, 2027 and 2028 in the percentages of 33%, 33% and 34%, respectively, or earlier on the date of death, disability or retirement of the executive. Each executive officer will be entitled to receive common shares equal to the amount of restricted stock units earned at the end of the performance period. Each of the executive officers will also be entitled to receive dividends payable in additional restricted stock units equal to the amount of dividends payable on an equivalent number of the Company’s common shares to the extent that the underlying restricted stock units are earned.

Each of the performance criteria set forth in the form of performance award agreement attached as Exhibit 10.1 apply to the performance award granted to Mr. Sprowls, Ms. Tang and Ms. Farrow, except the American States Utility Services, Inc. (“ASUS”) new base acquisition success rate performance criteria. The total shareholder return and Golden State Water Company operating expense level criteria apply to the performance award granted to Mr. Rowley. The total shareholder return, ASUS cumulative net earnings and ASUS new base acquisition success rate performance criteria apply to the performance award granted to Mr. Connor.


Section 9 – Financial Statement and Exhibits

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit No.Description
10.1
2026 Performance Award Agreement*

*Management contract or compensatory arrangement.



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY:
March 13, 2026/s/ Eva G. Tang
Eva G. Tang
Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer

GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY:
March 13, 2026/s/ Eva G. Tang
Eva G. Tang
Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary




FAQ

What executive compensation changes did AWR disclose in this 8-K?

American States Water approved new equity awards for several senior executives, including time-vested restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units. These grants align compensation with long-term company performance through multi-year vesting and performance periods extending through December 31, 2028.

How many restricted stock units did AWR’s CEO receive in March 2026?

CEO Robert J. Sprowls received 7,362 time-vested restricted stock units and a 22,088-unit performance award effective March 12, 2026. These awards vest over three years, subject to continued service and performance criteria tied to total shareholder return and other specified metrics.

What are the vesting terms for AWR executives’ time-vested RSUs?

Time-vested restricted stock units granted on March 12, 2026 vest 33%, 33%, and 34% on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date. Vesting can accelerate earlier upon an executive’s death, disability, or retirement, according to the award terms.

When do American States Water’s new performance awards vest?

The performance-based restricted stock unit awards vest 33%, 33%, and 34% on December 31, 2026, 2027, and 2028. Executives receive common shares equal to earned units, with vesting dependent on meeting performance criteria such as total shareholder return and specified operating or ASUS metrics.

Do AWR executive RSU awards include dividend equivalents?

Yes. Each executive is entitled to dividend equivalents in additional restricted stock units equal to dividends on an equivalent number of common shares. These apply to both time-vested and, to the extent earned, performance-based restricted stock units over the life of the awards.

What performance metrics apply to AWR’s 2026 performance awards?

Performance criteria include total shareholder return, Golden State Water operating expense levels, ASUS cumulative net earnings, and ASUS new base acquisition success rate. The exact mix varies by executive, with different combinations applying to Robert Sprowls, Eva Tang, Paul Rowley, Christopher Connor, and Gladys Farrow.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents