Stocks/SBS

SBS

Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP
Utilities·Regulated Water
$5.52
$18.9B market cap
Claude Rating
6/10SLIGHT BUY
Revenue
$38.7B
Free Cash Flow
$1.5B
Rev Growth
+16.0%
FCF Margin
3.9%
P/FCF
63.0x
EV/FCF
84.1x
Fwd EV/EBITDA
8.3x
Fair Value
$32.00
Upside
+479.7%

Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo – SABESP provides water and sewage services to residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers. It provides water supply, sanitary sewage, urban rainwater management and drainage, urban cleaning, and solid waste management services, as well as related activities, including the planning, operation, maintenance, and commercialization of energy. As of December 31, 2021, the company provided water services through 9.8 million w

2-Year Price History

$5.66-57.9%
$10$15$20$25$30volMay 24Sep 24Jan 25May 25Sep 25Jan 26May 26

Quarterly Financials & Projections

Quarterly Waterfall (BRL M)
PeriodRevEBITDAOpInNIOCFFCFCapExCashDebtSharesROICIntCovEV/EBITDA
Est2027-Q311,2004,480--2,128--1,120-2,12826,589----------
Est2027-Q210,7004,227--1,819--856.0-2,14025,469----------
Est2027-Q110,1003,788--1,515--606.0-2,02024,613----------
Est2026-Q414,8003,996--1,776--740.0-2,66424,007----------
Est2026-Q310,3004,172--2,060--1,236-1,75123,267----------
Est2026-Q29,8003,920--1,764--980.0-1,76422,031----------
Est2026-Q19,2003,496--1,472--736.0-1,65621,051----------
Act2026-Q19,7784,0153,3311,716755.4461.6-33.318,96550,8173,52412.9%2.8x9.2x
Est2025-Q413,5003,780--1,890--1,350-2,02520,315----------
Act2025-Q410,5283,1753,3012,519906.8-3,444-4,07812,37439,9913,42116.6%1.0x7.9x
Act2025-Q39,4253,9092,5812,1593,1731,593-0.011,65034,926683.19.6%24.1x6.8x
Act2025-Q28,9653,7683,3112,1363,1812,899-60.77,92631,284683.513.8%7.8x4.0x
Act2025-Q18,4263,3492,8441,4821,101-210.1-60.78,13727,638683.514.1%11.1x3.4x
Act2024-Q414,3993,6603,3472,2582,6641,213-38.05,38225,258683.521.9%2.9x4.0x
Act2024-Q314,99710,4429,8496,1121,570-29.3-26.2679.24,376683.7550.7%22.5x2.8x
Act2024-Q26,7492,9592,1931,2091,7731,614-15.95,14922,273683.513.8%7.1x7.0x
Act2024-Q16,5602,3701,662823.31,397-221.7-15.91,2464,395683.5105.7%6.9x5.9x
Act2023-Q47,2662,852-4,1721,1861,857215.2-59.03,26519,536683.5-38.4%2.9x6.5x
Act2023-Q36,4532,3581,709846.31,63287.8-48.0605.23,793683.5134.7%25.5x5.6x
Act2023-Q26,1551,6741,030743.71,118818.5-9.3475.63,873683.574.0%5.2x5.1x
Act2023-Q15,6981,9821,393747.2395.3-335.4-31.02,48618,296683.514.2%26.0x6.8x
Act2022-Q45,9321,7214,645642.2267.8108.1-6.43,54518,959683.565.4%5.8x7.8x
Act2022-Q35,9882,0481,5401,081805.34.3-17.73,42118,778683.514.1%28.6x--
Act2022-Q25,2651,480908.2422.51,147996.8-14.22,61117,727681.411.2%24.4x--
Act2022-Q14,8701,6631,145975.5616.8-605.8-8.63,40717,628682.211.4%30.0x--

AI Analysis

LLM Evaluations

Claude6/10SLIGHT BUYFV: $32.00

Sabesp is a compelling post-privatization turnaround story with a natural monopoly in Brazil's wealthiest state, trading at ~10x TTM FCF. However, current FCF margins are likely overstated due to capex timing (near-zero reported capex vs. the R$70B universalization commitment). As capex normalizes to 15-20% of revenue, true FCF margins will compress to 8-12%, making the valuation less compelling at ~15-18x normalized FCF. The privatization under Equatorial should drive real operational improvements (headcount already declining), but the 2026 election cycle creates meaningful tariff/regulatory risk, R$9.1B in contingent liabilities represent a tail risk, and massive infrastructure spending will consume cash for years. At current prices, the stock is reasonably valued — not cheap enough to be a high-conviction long given the political and execution risks, but the monopoly franchise and improving operations provide a decent floor.

Catalyst Successful tariff reset cycle in 2025-2026 that validates post-privatization regulatory framework; demonstrated progress on universalization targets ahead of schedule; resolution of major contingent liabilities at favorable terms; EMAE acquisition synergies.
Risk The 2026 Brazilian election cycle leading to populist pressure on water tariffs, regulatory interference with the privatization framework, or adverse court rulings on the R$9.1B in contingent liabilities that could materially impair equity value.
Trend
IMPROVING
Mgmt
7/10
Quarter
7/10
Exp. Move
+3.0%

Valuation & Metrics

Market Stats

Price$5.52
Market Cap$18.9B
Enterprise Value$127.0B
P/S Ratio2.5x
P/FCF63.0x
EV/FCF84.1x
FCF Margin (TTM)3.9%
FCF Yield1.6%
Dividend Yield (TTM)--
Annual Dilution415.6%
CurrencyUSD

TTM Financial Snapshot

Revenue$38.7B
Net Income$8.5B
Free Cash Flow$1.5B

Revenue Growth (YoY)+16.0%
EBITDA Margin38.4%
Net Margin22.0%
FCF Margin3.9%
CapEx % of Revenue10.8%
SBC % of Revenue0.0%
ROIC13.2%
WC Change % Rev-6.1%
Interest Coverage2.8x

DCF Fair Value Estimate

$0.64
-88.3% upside
Fair Enterprise Value$43.3B
− Net Debt$31.9B
= Fair Equity$11.5B
Revenue Growth9.3% → 4.0%
FCF Margin3.9% → 12.0%
Discount Rate14.0%
Terminal EV/FCF14.0x

Forward Outlook & Risk

Short Interest

Short % of Float0.1%
Short Shares2.8M
Days to Cover1.8
Change (vs Prior)+6.9%
Short % Float History
0.10%+0.00pp
0.1%0.1%0.1%0.2%0.2%0.2%04-3007-1509-1511-1401-1504-30

Options

Call IV (ATM)--
Put IV (ATM)56%
ATM Spread--
Call $OI (near money)$3K
Put $OI (near money)$3K
ATM ExpiryJuly 17, 2026 (56D)
ATM Strike$6.0
Major Expirations3
Near-money chain · July 17, 2026
StrikeCall Bid/AskCall OIPut Bid/AskPut OI
$4.00$1.40/$2.100--/$0.750
$4.50$0.95/$1.601--/$0.750
$5.00$0.50/$1.200--/$0.750
$6.00--/$0.756$0.20/$1.152
$7.00--/$0.7510$1.05/$1.953
$8.00--/$0.355$2.00/$3.800
$10.00--/$1.200$3.10/$5.800
$12.50--/--0--/--0
Snapshot: 2026-05-22

Forward Projections & Estimates

NTM Revenue Growth+10.6%
Forward FCF Margin10.1%
Forward EBITDA Margin35.9%
Forward P/FCF22.1x
Forward EV/FCF29.5x
Forward Int. Coverage9.8x
Model Risk Score6/10
Bankruptcy Odds2%
Est. Borrow Rate11.5%
Terminal EV/FCF14.0x
LT Growth4.0%
LT FCF Margin12.0%

Employees

Headcount10,552
Revenue / Employee$3,667,167
Gross Profit / Employee$1,322,587
2022: 12,999 → 2023: 11,170 → 2024: 10,512 → 2025: 2,039 (-46% CAGR)

Institutional Ownership

Headline & net flow

BALANCED

In Q1 2026 so far (quarter still filing), institutions are roughly balanced — bought 0.3% of float, sold 0.1%.

Net flow · Q1 2026still filing
+0.1% of float (net)
Bought 0.3% · Sold 0.1%
162 filers reported (last quarter: 225)

Ownership composition

Active
9.3%(+3.8% YoY)
226 filers
hedge / family / endowment
Retail funds
Fidelity, Schwab, 401(k)
Passive
1.4%(+0.7% YoY)
6 filers
Vanguard, iShares, SPDR
Market makers
0.1%(+0.0% YoY)
6 filers
Citadel, Susquehanna
Insiders
0.0%
Form 4 — latest per insider
0%25%50%75%100%2022-062023-032023-122024-092025-062026-03
ActiveRetail fundsPassiveMarket makersRetail direct

Top holders

Fund$ valueCost basisΔ QoQΔ YoYα lifeFund AUM
Impax Asset Management Group plc$206M$10.88−$15.1M−$125M-0.6%$14.35B
BlackRock, Inc.Passive$186M$19.33+$3.2M+$83.1M-0.2%$5.69T
Amundi$160M$11.49−$3.4M−$19.3M-0.2%$366.88B
DEUTSCHE BANK AG\$113M$15.80−$4.2M−$75.1M-0.3%$302.17B
ROYAL LONDON ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD$81.1M$30.51+$81.1M+$81.1M-0.1%$47.56B
MANNING & NAPIER ADVISORS LLC$80.1M$23.88−$5.4M+$80.1M-0.8%$7.09B
LETKO, BROSSEAU & ASSOCIATES INC$71.7M$13.21+$4.0M−$115K+0.7%$6.20B
MACKENZIE FINANCIAL CORP$66.1M$10.99+$183K−$6.8M-0.7%$83.32B
WCM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT/CA$64.7M$28.37+$53.6M+$58.4M-0.3%$43.79B
WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT GROUP LLP$62.8M$15.67+$8.3M+$62.8M+0.1%$533.98B
MORGAN STANLEY$57.3M$12.86+$1.3M−$14.1M-0.3%$1.65T
RENAISSANCE TECHNOLOGIES LLC$52.8M$13.81−$1.7M−$1.7M+1.2%$63.91B
AMERICAN CENTURY COMPANIES INC$52.7M$18.94+$5.0M+$13.6M+0.3%$193.48B
NORTHERN TRUST CORPPassive$49.0M$14.52+$2.3M+$4.8M-0.2%$755.34B
UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS INC$48.2M$24.22+$848K+$48.2M-0.3%$480.58B
DUFF & PHELPS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CO$44.2M$11.26+$78K+$2.2M-1.2%$9.63B
UBS Group AG$43.8M$21.76+$14.2M+$30.3M-0.3%$562.11B
Perpetual Ltd$38.6M$18.26−$1.8M+$14.4M-0.4%$6.50B
STRS OHIO$37.5M$13.60−$6.1M−$12.2M-0.3%$25.21B
ASSETMARK, INC$33.3M$13.97+$3.2M+$11.1M-0.1%$48.53B
Cost basis is a volume-weighted estimate from accumulation periods within our 13F history; holders who built their position before our window started will show a stale basis. % above the cost basis is the unrealized gain at the current price.

Trading behavior

Smart-money alpha (lifetime, %/qtr)NEUTRAL
Holders
-0.09%
avg per quarter
Holders (ex-self)
-0.10%
excl. this stock
Buyers (this Q)
+0.04%
153 buyers · $0.49B in
Sellers (this Q)
-0.42%
79 sellers · $-0.07B out
alpha coverage: 100% of $ has a lifetime-alpha record
Holder behavior on this stocksource: stock
On big dips (−10%+)
-6.5%
how holders react when this stock falls
On quiet Qs
-27.4%
−10% to +10% baseline
On rallies (+10%+)
-18.3%
how they react when this stock rises
Holders' portfolio flow this Q
+1.4%
inflows — adds are organic
Sellers' portfolio flow this Q
+1.1%
Sellers grew AUM elsewhere — opinionated cut of this stock.
▸ Compare to holder-profile behavior (across all their stocks)
Holder dip (any stock)
-4.1%
Holder mid (any stock)
-2.9%
Holder rally (any stock)
-5.0%

Top Holders Over Time

5-year share-count history (top 10 holders by peak, incl. exited) + price

013.4M26.8M40.3M53.7M$7.27$13$19$25$312021-062022-062023-062024-062025-062026-03
hover the chart for per-quarter detailprice (right axis)
Impax Asset Management Group plc6.7MDEUTSCHE BANK AG\3.7MAmundi5.2MMORGAN STANLEY1.9MROYAL LONDON ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD2.7MMANNING & NAPIER ADVISORS LLC2.6MMACKENZIE FINANCIAL CORP2.2MInvesco Ltd.819KLETKO, BROSSEAU & ASSOCIATES INC2.3MBANK OF AMERICA CORP /DE/899K

Corporate

Order Flow (FINRA, ~3w lag)

7.6%retail-0.6pp
23.6%dark+2.0pp
week of 2026-04-13
5%10%15%20%25%30%24-1125-0225-0525-0825-1126-0226-04retail (non-ATS)dark (ATS)
Off-exchange volume from FINRA. Retail = non-ATS (wholesaler PFOF + broker internalization). Dark = ATS (dark-pool crossing networks, institutional). Lit-exchange = remainder.

Filing Risk Analysis

Filing Risk Scores

Sabesp: A State-Controlled Utility Drowning in Legal Contingencies

Overall Risk
6/10
Fraud
2/10
Dilution
2/10
Insolvency
4/10
Earnings Overstated
5/10
Hidden Liabilities
8/10
Legal
9/10
Audit Warnings
3/10
Hidden Upside
6/10
Contextually Acceptable
6/10

Counter-Thesis

Counter-Thesis & Recent News

📰 Recent News

In March 2026, Sabesp was fined R$ 100,000 by the city of São Sebastião following a mass fish kill in the Maresias River caused by hypochlorite contamination, which the company attributes to legal compliance despite local evidence (YouTube/Record Litoral). Earlier in January 2026, while the company cleared antitrust hurdles for the EMAE control deal, the stock saw a 5.23% daily drop following the announcement (TipRanks). Operational failures also led to a significant R$ 16.9 million fine in August 2025 for water supply interruptions in Agudos (Reddit/r/brasil).

🐻 Bear Case

The core bear case centers on the 2026 election cycle in Brazil, which poses a severe regulatory risk. Skeptics argue that political pressure to lower water tariffs ahead of the elections could squeeze margins and reduce the Return on Regulated Asset Base (RoRAB), which has already dropped to ~12.3% from previous highs (Seeking Alpha). Furthermore, the company is committed to a massive R$ 70 billion CapEx plan to universalize services by 2029; failure to meet these aggressive targets while maintaining profitability could lead to liquidity stress or further regulatory penalties.

🚩 Red Flags

Recurring environmental and operational failures remain a major red flag, including a massive R$ 22.7 million fine for sewage leaks in the Pinheiros River due to 'expired life' equipment (August 2025). Governance 'poison pill' clauses in the privatization framework may also deter institutional investors, as even minor share purchases by affiliated funds can trigger restrictive control mechanisms (Murray Advogados).

⚔️ Competitive Threats

While Sabesp holds a natural monopoly, the primary threat is political and legal rather than commercial. The Workers' Party (PT) and other critics continue to challenge the privatization in court, viewing it as the 'death of public sanitation' (Medium). Any shift in the political landscape during the 2026 elections could lead to attempts to reverse privatization or impose stricter, less favorable concession terms.

💬 Customer Sentiment

Sentiment has soured post-privatization, with residents in areas like São Miguel Paulista reporting constant water shortages and low pressure. Customers have specifically criticized the company's shift toward 'aggressive' and 'threatening' collection tactics for bills delayed by as little as seven days, contrasting sharply with the service quality issues reported on the ground (YouTube/Radio Estação Imprensa).