NASDAQ:MSEXMiddlesex Water Competitors & Alternatives

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK) and Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX) are both utilities companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Risk and Volatility

American Water Works has a beta of 0.2, meaning that its stock price is 80% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Middlesex Water has a beta of 0.26, meaning that its stock price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares American Water Works and Middlesex Water's gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

American Water Works has higher revenue and earnings than Middlesex Water. Middlesex Water is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American Water Works, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $2.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Middlesex Water pays an annual dividend of $1.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. American Water Works pays out 60.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Middlesex Water pays out 50.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. American Water Works has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years and Middlesex Water has raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares American Water Works and Middlesex Water's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for American Water Works and Middlesex Water, as provided by MarketBeat.

American Water Works presently has a consensus price target of $136.4545, indicating a potential upside of 1.20%. Middlesex Water has a consensus price target of $74.50, indicating a potential upside of 18.14%. Given Middlesex Water's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Middlesex Water is more favorable than American Water Works.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

84.0% of American Water Works shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 58.9% of Middlesex Water shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of American Water Works shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.1% of Middlesex Water shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Middlesex Water beats American Water Works on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX) and Aqua America (NYSE:WTR) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends, valuation, risk and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Middlesex Water pays an annual dividend of $1.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Aqua America pays an annual dividend of $0.94 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Middlesex Water pays out 50.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Aqua America pays out 66.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Middlesex Water has increased its dividend for 47 consecutive years and Aqua America has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years.

Volatility and Risk

Middlesex Water has a beta of 0.26, indicating that its share price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Aqua America has a beta of 0.32, indicating that its share price is 68% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Middlesex Water and Aqua America, as provided by MarketBeat.

Middlesex Water currently has a consensus target price of $74.50, indicating a potential upside of 18.14%. Aqua America has a consensus target price of $50.1667, indicating a potential upside of 15.64%. Given Middlesex Water's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Middlesex Water is more favorable than Aqua America.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

58.9% of Middlesex Water shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 66.5% of Aqua America shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.1% of Middlesex Water shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Aqua America shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Middlesex Water and Aqua America's top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Aqua America has higher revenue and earnings than Middlesex Water. Aqua America is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Middlesex Water, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Middlesex Water and Aqua America's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary

Middlesex Water beats Aqua America on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

American States Water (NYSE:AWR) and Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX) are both utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for American States Water and Middlesex Water, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

American States Water currently has a consensus price target of $80.75, indicating a potential upside of 5.46%. Middlesex Water has a consensus price target of $74.50, indicating a potential upside of 18.14%. Given Middlesex Water's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Middlesex Water is more favorable than American States Water.

Risk & Volatility

American States Water has a beta of -0.09, meaning that its share price is 109% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Middlesex Water has a beta of 0.26, meaning that its share price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

American States Water pays an annual dividend of $1.22 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Middlesex Water pays an annual dividend of $1.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. American States Water pays out 57.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Middlesex Water pays out 50.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. American States Water has raised its dividend for 65 consecutive years and Middlesex Water has raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years. Middlesex Water is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Profitability

This table compares American States Water and Middlesex Water's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

70.8% of American States Water shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 58.9% of Middlesex Water shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of American States Water shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 3.1% of Middlesex Water shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares American States Water and Middlesex Water's gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

American States Water has higher revenue and earnings than Middlesex Water. Middlesex Water is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American States Water, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX) and California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability and earnings.

Dividends

Middlesex Water pays an annual dividend of $1.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. California Water Service Group pays an annual dividend of $0.85 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Middlesex Water pays out 50.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. California Water Service Group pays out 64.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Middlesex Water has raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years and California Water Service Group has raised its dividend for 52 consecutive years. California Water Service Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Middlesex Water and California Water Service Group's revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

California Water Service Group has higher revenue and earnings than Middlesex Water. Middlesex Water is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than California Water Service Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Middlesex Water and California Water Service Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Middlesex Water presently has a consensus target price of $74.50, indicating a potential upside of 18.14%. California Water Service Group has a consensus target price of $52.6667, indicating a potential upside of 10.95%. Given Middlesex Water's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Middlesex Water is more favorable than California Water Service Group.

Profitability

This table compares Middlesex Water and California Water Service Group's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

58.9% of Middlesex Water shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.3% of California Water Service Group shares are held by institutional investors. 3.1% of Middlesex Water shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of California Water Service Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Middlesex Water beats California Water Service Group on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX) and SJW Group (NYSE:SJW) are both small-cap utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings and risk.

Risk and Volatility

Middlesex Water has a beta of 0.26, meaning that its share price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SJW Group has a beta of 0.27, meaning that its share price is 73% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Middlesex Water and SJW Group's top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Middlesex Water has higher earnings, but lower revenue than SJW Group. Middlesex Water is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SJW Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

58.9% of Middlesex Water shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 68.0% of SJW Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.1% of Middlesex Water shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 8.3% of SJW Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Middlesex Water pays an annual dividend of $1.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. SJW Group pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Middlesex Water pays out 50.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. SJW Group pays out 71.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Middlesex Water has raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years and SJW Group has raised its dividend for 52 consecutive years. SJW Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Middlesex Water and SJW Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

Middlesex Water presently has a consensus target price of $74.50, suggesting a potential upside of 18.14%. SJW Group has a consensus target price of $71.60, suggesting a potential upside of 14.19%. Given Middlesex Water's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Middlesex Water is more favorable than SJW Group.

Profitability

This table compares Middlesex Water and SJW Group's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary

Middlesex Water beats SJW Group on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Connecticut Water Service (NASDAQ:CTWS) and Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX) are both small-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, earnings and profitability.

Dividends

Connecticut Water Service pays an annual dividend of $1.31 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Middlesex Water pays an annual dividend of $1.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Connecticut Water Service pays out 57.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Middlesex Water pays out 50.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Connecticut Water Service has raised its dividend for 49 consecutive years and Middlesex Water has raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years. Connecticut Water Service is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Risk and Volatility

Connecticut Water Service has a beta of -0.09, suggesting that its stock price is 109% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Middlesex Water has a beta of 0.26, suggesting that its stock price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

53.3% of Connecticut Water Service shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 58.9% of Middlesex Water shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Connecticut Water Service shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 3.1% of Middlesex Water shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Connecticut Water Service and Middlesex Water's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Connecticut Water Service and Middlesex Water, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Middlesex Water has a consensus price target of $74.50, suggesting a potential upside of 18.14%. Given Middlesex Water's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Middlesex Water is more favorable than Connecticut Water Service.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Connecticut Water Service and Middlesex Water's gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Middlesex Water has higher revenue and earnings than Connecticut Water Service. Connecticut Water Service is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Middlesex Water, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Middlesex Water beats Connecticut Water Service on 13 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.