For an intro we'll recycle:
Over the years I've moaned about how difficult it can be to make money out of water as an asset. Back in 2014 we posted "A Look at the World's First Water-focused Hedge Fund":
Since the first Earth Day in April 1970 and more importantly since the establishment of the EPA in December of that year, folks have been trying to make money out of water in the U.S..
Put simply, the returns have not been market-beating.
Because so much of the opportunity was my-little-crony stuff, at the whim of politicians, there was no consistency of growth at a time when other portfolio investments offered very competitive comparisons.
The alternative was to own the cash flow, private equity style, but unless one felt a passion for grit chambers and sludge pans it was pretty pedestrian, utility type ROI....
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It got to the point that I grew weary trying to frontrun changes in U.S. riparian law and not-very-liquid water derivatives (oh the cruel irony) and ended up telling folks that if they wanted exposure to water they should consider York Water Company of York Pennsylvania.There is something comforting about plain, simple press releases, no hype-n-tout, just:
THE YORK WATER COMPANY DECLARES 612TH DIVIDEND
So here we go, ten dividends later.
York, Pennsylvania, May 5, 2026: The York Water Company’s (NASDAQ: YORW) President and CEO, JT Hand, announced today that the Board of Directors at their May 4th meeting declared a quarterly dividend of $0.2280 per share. The dividend is payable July 15, 2026, to shareholders as of record date June 30, 2026.
This is the 622nd consecutive dividend to be paid by The York Water Company. York Water, which is the oldest publicly traded company in the nation, has never missed a dividend in over 210 years. This is believed to be the longest record of consecutive dividends in America.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. A discussion of factors that may cause actual results to differ from management’s projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations is available in the Company filings with the SEC. Those factors may include changes in general economic conditions, increases in costs, changes in regulation and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect changes occurring after the date hereof.
I like that they include the "forward-looking statements" boilerplate. Because you never know...
From Chicago's WGN-TV, May 19:
Schlitz beer discontinued after 177 years
MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — After 177 years, Pabst is discontinuing Schlitz beer.
The beer was based in Milwaukee starting in 1849 and was later produced by the Pabst Brewing Company.
Pabst bought the brand in 1999.
While it was famous in Milwaukee, Schlitz left a legacy throughout Chicago.
Schlitz produced several Chicago tied houses in the early 20th century.
Many, like Schubas Tavern, exist to this day with a Schlitz logo still on the building.
