Go Pro

American Water Works (AWK) Competitors

American Water Works logo
$137.93 -0.78 (-0.56%)
As of 01:59 PM Eastern

AWK vs. CWCO, GWRS, MSEX, AWR, and CWT

Should you buy American Water Works stock or one of its competitors? American Water Works's main competitors and comparable companies include Consolidated Water (CWCO), Global Water Resources (GWRS), Middlesex Water (MSEX), American States Water (AWR), and California Water Service Group (CWT). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "water utilities" industry.

How does American Water Works compare to Consolidated Water?

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

American Water Works has a consensus price target of $138.78, suggesting a potential upside of 0.61%. Given American Water Works' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe American Water Works is more favorable than Consolidated Water.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Consolidated Water
1 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.50
American Water Works
1 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Consolidated Water$132.07M3.59$18.34M$0.8335.67
American Water Works$5.14B5.33$1.11B$5.7723.90

American Water Works has a net margin of 21.35% compared to Consolidated Water's net margin of 12.66%. American Water Works' return on equity of 10.20% beat Consolidated Water's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Consolidated Water12.66% 7.23% 6.36%
American Water Works 21.35%10.20%3.20%

Consolidated Water has a beta of 0.51, indicating that its share price is 49% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Water Works has a beta of 0.6, indicating that its share price is 40% less volatile than the broader market.

Consolidated Water pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Consolidated Water pays out 67.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American Water Works pays out 62.0% 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. Consolidated Water has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years and American Water Works has increased its dividend for 18 consecutive years. American Water Works is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

55.2% of Consolidated Water shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.6% of American Water Works shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.8% of Consolidated Water shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of American Water Works shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, American Water Works had 38 more articles in the media than Consolidated Water. MarketBeat recorded 39 mentions for American Water Works and 1 mentions for Consolidated Water. Consolidated Water's average media sentiment score of 1.38 beat American Water Works' score of 1.01 indicating that Consolidated Water is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Consolidated Water
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Water Works
22 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
16 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

American Water Works beats Consolidated Water on 15 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Water Works compare to Global Water Resources?

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK) and Global Water Resources (NASDAQ:GWRS) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, media sentiment, dividends, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation and institutional ownership.

American Water Works has a beta of 0.6, suggesting that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Global Water Resources has a beta of 0.91, suggesting that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

86.6% of American Water Works shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.9% of Global Water Resources shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of American Water Works shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 53.7% of Global Water Resources shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
American Water Works$5.14B5.33$1.11B$5.7723.90
Global Water Resources$55.76M4.57$2.96M$0.1180.45

American Water Works has a net margin of 21.35% compared to Global Water Resources' net margin of 5.22%. American Water Works' return on equity of 10.20% beat Global Water Resources' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Water Works21.35% 10.20% 3.20%
Global Water Resources 5.22%3.05%0.54%

American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Global Water Resources pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. American Water Works pays out 62.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Global Water Resources pays out 272.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. American Water Works has increased its dividend for 18 consecutive years and Global Water Resources has increased its dividend for 8 consecutive years.

American Water Works currently has a consensus price target of $138.78, suggesting a potential upside of 0.61%. Global Water Resources has a consensus price target of $15.00, suggesting a potential upside of 69.49%. Given Global Water Resources' higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Global Water Resources is more favorable than American Water Works.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
American Water Works
1 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
Global Water Resources
1 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.50

In the previous week, American Water Works had 32 more articles in the media than Global Water Resources. MarketBeat recorded 39 mentions for American Water Works and 7 mentions for Global Water Resources. American Water Works' average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat Global Water Resources' score of 0.76 indicating that American Water Works is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
American Water Works
22 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
16 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Global Water Resources
2 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

American Water Works beats Global Water Resources on 14 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Water Works compare to Middlesex Water?

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

Middlesex Water has a beta of 0.75, indicating that its stock price is 25% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Water Works has a beta of 0.6, indicating that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the broader market.

Middlesex Water pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Middlesex Water pays out 55.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American Water Works pays out 62.0% 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 52 consecutive years and American Water Works has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years.

Middlesex Water presently has a consensus price target of $61.67, indicating a potential upside of 3.97%. American Water Works has a consensus price target of $138.78, indicating a potential upside of 0.61%. Given Middlesex Water's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Middlesex Water is more favorable than American Water Works.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Middlesex Water
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
American Water Works
1 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

Middlesex Water has a net margin of 23.26% compared to American Water Works' net margin of 21.35%. American Water Works' return on equity of 10.20% beat Middlesex Water's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Middlesex Water23.26% 9.59% 3.48%
American Water Works 21.35%10.20%3.20%

79.5% of Middlesex Water shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.6% of American Water Works shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.9% of Middlesex Water shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of American Water Works shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, American Water Works had 37 more articles in the media than Middlesex Water. MarketBeat recorded 39 mentions for American Water Works and 2 mentions for Middlesex Water. American Water Works' average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat Middlesex Water's score of 0.84 indicating that American Water Works is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Middlesex Water
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Water Works
22 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
16 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Middlesex Water$194.69M5.74$42.82M$2.5922.90
American Water Works$5.14B5.33$1.11B$5.7723.90

Summary

Middlesex Water and American Water Works tied by winning 9 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Water Works compare to American States Water?

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

American Water Works has a beta of 0.6, suggesting that its share price is 40% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American States Water has a beta of 0.57, suggesting that its share price is 43% less volatile than the broader market.

American Water Works has higher revenue and earnings than American States Water. American Water Works 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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
American Water Works$5.14B5.33$1.11B$5.7723.90
American States Water$658.07M5.41$130.44M$3.6524.63

American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. American States Water pays an annual dividend of $2.18 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. American Water Works pays out 62.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American States Water pays out 59.7% 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 increased its dividend for 18 consecutive years and American States Water has increased its dividend for 71 consecutive years.

American Water Works has a net margin of 21.35% compared to American States Water's net margin of 20.52%. American States Water's return on equity of 13.50% beat American Water Works' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Water Works21.35% 10.20% 3.20%
American States Water 20.52%13.50%5.26%

86.6% of American Water Works shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.2% of American States Water shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of American Water Works shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of American States Water shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

American Water Works currently has a consensus target price of $138.78, indicating a potential upside of 0.61%. Given American Water Works' higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe American Water Works is more favorable than American States Water.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
American Water Works
1 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
American States Water
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

In the previous week, American Water Works had 36 more articles in the media than American States Water. MarketBeat recorded 39 mentions for American Water Works and 3 mentions for American States Water. American Water Works' average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat American States Water's score of 0.74 indicating that American Water Works is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
American Water Works
22 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
16 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American States Water
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

American Water Works beats American States Water on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Water Works compare to California Water Service Group?

California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) and American Water Works (NYSE:AWK) are both utilities companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, media sentiment, dividends and earnings.

In the previous week, American Water Works had 27 more articles in the media than California Water Service Group. MarketBeat recorded 39 mentions for American Water Works and 12 mentions for California Water Service Group. American Water Works' average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat California Water Service Group's score of 0.54 indicating that American Water Works is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
California Water Service Group
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Water Works
22 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
16 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

American Water Works has higher revenue and earnings than California Water Service Group. California Water Service Group 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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
California Water Service Group$1.00B3.09$128.21M$2.2222.55
American Water Works$5.14B5.33$1.11B$5.7723.90

American Water Works has a net margin of 21.35% compared to California Water Service Group's net margin of 12.63%. American Water Works' return on equity of 10.20% beat California Water Service Group's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
California Water Service Group12.63% 7.74% 2.32%
American Water Works 21.35%10.20%3.20%

California Water Service Group currently has a consensus target price of $54.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.89%. American Water Works has a consensus target price of $138.78, indicating a potential upside of 0.61%. Given California Water Service Group's higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe California Water Service Group is more favorable than American Water Works.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
California Water Service Group
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
American Water Works
1 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

California Water Service Group has a beta of 0.5, meaning that its stock price is 50% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Water Works has a beta of 0.6, meaning that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the broader market.

82.8% of California Water Service Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.6% of American Water Works shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.8% of California Water Service Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of American Water Works shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

California Water Service Group pays an annual dividend of $1.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. California Water Service Group pays out 60.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American Water Works pays out 62.0% 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. California Water Service Group has raised its dividend for 59 consecutive years and American Water Works has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. California Water Service Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

American Water Works beats California Water Service Group on 13 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

Get American Water Works News Delivered to You Automatically

Sign up to receive the latest news and ratings for AWK and its competitors with MarketBeat's FREE daily newsletter.

Subscribe Now
SMS is currently available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. By entering your phone number and clicking the sign-up button, you agree to receive periodic text messages from MarketBeat at the phone number you submitted, including texts that may be sent using an automatic telephone dialing system. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary. Messages will consist of stock alerts, news stories, and partner advertisements/offers. Consent is not a condition of the purchase of any goods or services. Text HELP for help/customer support. Unsubscribe at any time by replying "STOP" to any text message that you receive from MarketBeat or by visiting our mailing preferences page. Read our full terms of service and privacy policy.

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding AWK and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
Skip Chart

Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
Skip Chart

AWK vs. The Competition

MetricAmerican Water WorksWater Utilities IndustryUtilities SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$27.41B$6.19B$15.97B$24.12B
Dividend Yield2.63%3.95%4.02%3.72%
P/E Ratio23.9022.8425.0830.03
Price / Sales5.3353.66368.8819.93
Price / Cash13.3314.6518.7631.97
Price / Book2.355.022.236.81
Net Income$1.11B$302.59M$701.59M$1.07B
7 Day Performance1.07%-0.05%-0.52%-1.18%
1 Month Performance3.08%1.75%-1.41%2.34%
1 Year Performance-5.17%3.89%9.46%17.45%

American Water Works Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
AWK
American Water Works
3.6006 of 5 stars
$137.93
-0.6%
$138.78
+0.6%
-4.6%$27.41B$5.14B23.907,000
CWCO
Consolidated Water
2.0017 of 5 stars
$30.05
-3.8%
N/A-8.4%$500.08M$132.07M33.39200
GWRS
Global Water Resources
4.5095 of 5 stars
$8.88
+3.3%
$15.00
+68.9%
-8.8%$247.64M$55.76M95.5690
MSEX
Middlesex Water
3.0608 of 5 stars
$58.02
-1.2%
$61.67
+6.3%
+10.5%$1.11B$194.69M22.40350
AWR
American States Water
3.5805 of 5 stars
$87.88
-1.2%
N/A+19.0%$3.53B$658.07M24.08810

Related Companies and Tools


This page (NYSE:AWK) was last updated on 8/20/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
From Our Partners