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American Water Works (AWK) Competitors

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$123.29 +0.94 (+0.77%)
Closing price 05/29/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$123.45 +0.16 (+0.13%)
As of 05/29/2026 07:56 PM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

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

Should you buy American Water Works stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares American Water Works with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with American Water Works include Consolidated Water (CWCO), Global Water Resources (GWRS), Middlesex Water (MSEX), American States Water (AWR), and California Water Service Group (CWT). These companies are all part of the "util - water sply" industry.

How does American Water Works compare to Consolidated Water?

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

American Water Works has a net margin of 21.17% compared to Consolidated Water's net margin of 13.50%. 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
American Water Works21.17% 10.20% 3.18%
Consolidated Water 13.50%7.81%6.84%

American Water Works has a beta of 0.62, meaning that its stock price is 38% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Consolidated Water has a beta of 0.51, meaning that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the broader market.

American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Consolidated Water pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. American Water Works pays out 63.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Consolidated Water pays out 62.2% 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 Consolidated Water has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. American Water Works is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

86.6% of American Water Works shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 55.2% of Consolidated Water shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of American Water Works shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.3% of Consolidated Water shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, American Water Works and American Water Works both had 9 articles in the media. American Water Works' average media sentiment score of 0.44 beat Consolidated Water's score of -0.46 indicating that American Water Works is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
American Water Works Neutral
Consolidated Water Neutral

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
American Water Works$5.14B4.68$1.11B$5.6421.86
Consolidated Water$132.07M3.66$18.34M$0.9033.53

American Water Works currently has a consensus target price of $138.11, suggesting a potential upside of 12.02%. Consolidated Water has a consensus target price of $40.00, suggesting a potential upside of 32.54%. Given Consolidated Water's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Consolidated Water 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)
7 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.10
Consolidated Water
1 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

Summary

American Water Works beats Consolidated Water on 13 of the 18 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 better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, media sentiment, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, dividends and institutional ownership.

American Water Works currently has a consensus target price of $138.11, indicating a potential upside of 12.02%. Global Water Resources has a consensus target price of $15.00, indicating a potential upside of 105.76%. Given Global Water Resources' higher possible upside, analysts clearly 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)
7 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.10
Global Water Resources
1 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.50

American Water Works has a beta of 0.62, indicating that its share price is 38% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Global Water Resources has a beta of 0.92, indicating that its share price is 8% less volatile than the broader market.

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$5.14B4.68$1.11B$5.6421.86
Global Water Resources$55.76M3.76$2.96M$0.07104.14

American Water Works has a net margin of 21.17% compared to Global Water Resources' net margin of 3.53%. 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 Works21.17% 10.20% 3.18%
Global Water Resources 3.53%3.53%0.63%

American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Global Water Resources pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.1%. American Water Works pays out 63.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Global Water Resources pays out 428.6% 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 raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years and Global Water Resources has raised its dividend for 8 consecutive years.

In the previous week, American Water Works had 4 more articles in the media than Global Water Resources. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for American Water Works and 5 mentions for Global Water Resources. Global Water Resources' average media sentiment score of 0.70 beat American Water Works' score of 0.44 indicating that Global Water Resources is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

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 hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

American Water Works beats Global Water Resources on 13 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 better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, media sentiment, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings and analyst recommendations.

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 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 will outperform the market over the long term.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Middlesex Water$194.69M5.02$42.82M$2.4021.89
American Water Works$5.14B4.68$1.11B$5.6421.86

Middlesex Water has a net margin of 22.07% compared to American Water Works' net margin of 21.17%. 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 Water22.07% 9.08% 3.25%
American Water Works 21.17%10.20%3.18%

Middlesex Water presently has a consensus price target of $56.67, suggesting a potential upside of 7.87%. American Water Works has a consensus price target of $138.11, suggesting a potential upside of 12.02%. Given American Water Works' higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe American Water Works is more favorable than Middlesex Water.

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)
7 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.10

Middlesex Water pays an annual dividend of $1.44 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 2.9%. Middlesex Water pays out 60.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American Water Works pays out 63.5% 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 has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Water Works has a beta of 0.62, suggesting that its stock price is 38% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, American Water Works had 6 more articles in the media than Middlesex Water. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for American Water Works and 3 mentions for Middlesex Water. Middlesex Water's average media sentiment score of 1.69 beat American Water Works' score of 0.44 indicating that Middlesex Water is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Middlesex Water
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
American Water Works
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Summary

Middlesex Water beats American Water Works on 10 of the 19 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 contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, media sentiment and profitability.

American Water Works has a net margin of 21.17% compared to American States Water's net margin of 19.66%. American States Water's return on equity of 13.06% beat American Water Works' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Water Works21.17% 10.20% 3.18%
American States Water 19.66%13.06%4.99%

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 will outperform the market over the long term.

American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. American States Water pays an annual dividend of $2.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. American Water Works pays out 63.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American States Water pays out 58.9% 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. 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 beta of 0.62, indicating that its stock price is 38% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American States Water has a beta of 0.6, indicating that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, American Water Works had 9 more articles in the media than American States Water. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for American Water Works and 0 mentions for American States Water. American States Water's average media sentiment score of 0.59 beat American Water Works' score of 0.44 indicating that American States Water is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
American Water Works Neutral
American States Water Positive

American Water Works currently has a consensus target price of $138.11, suggesting a potential upside of 12.02%. Given American Water Works' higher possible upside, 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)
7 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.10
American States Water
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

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$5.14B4.68$1.11B$5.6421.86
American States Water$658.07M4.60$130.44M$3.4322.54

Summary

American Water Works beats American States Water on 11 of the 20 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 businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, risk, dividends, media sentiment and earnings.

California Water Service Group has a beta of 0.53, suggesting that its share price is 47% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Water Works has a beta of 0.62, suggesting that its share price is 38% less volatile than the broader market.

California Water Service Group currently has a consensus target price of $54.50, indicating a potential upside of 20.80%. American Water Works has a consensus target price of $138.11, indicating a potential upside of 12.02%. Given California Water Service Group's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly 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)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
American Water Works
1 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.10

California Water Service Group pays an annual dividend of $1.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. American Water Works pays an annual dividend of $3.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. California Water Service Group pays out 67.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American Water Works pays out 63.5% 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.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
California Water Service Group$1.00B2.70$128.21M$2.0022.56
American Water Works$5.14B4.68$1.11B$5.6421.86

American Water Works has a net margin of 21.17% compared to California Water Service Group's net margin of 11.77%. 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 Group11.77% 7.06% 2.13%
American Water Works 21.17%10.20%3.18%

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

In the previous week, American Water Works had 5 more articles in the media than California Water Service Group. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for American Water Works and 4 mentions for California Water Service Group. California Water Service Group's average media sentiment score of 1.00 beat American Water Works' score of 0.44 indicating that California Water Service Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

Summary

American Water Works beats California Water Service Group on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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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.
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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.
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AWK vs. The Competition

MetricAmerican Water WorksUTIL IndustryUtilities SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$24.07B$7.72B$19.02B$22.74B
Dividend Yield2.90%2.96%3.87%4.08%
P/E Ratio21.8624.0220.3230.62
Price / Sales4.684.0363.1415.47
Price / Cash12.0612.3419.4525.14
Price / Book2.221.992.194.79
Net Income$1.11B$416.55M$781.06M$1.07B
7 Day Performance-1.61%0.54%-0.22%1.14%
1 Month Performance-4.13%-8.53%-0.88%1.26%
1 Year Performance-13.59%-12.09%18.42%28.06%

American Water Works Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
AWK
American Water Works
3.613 of 5 stars
$123.29
+0.8%
$138.11
+12.0%
-13.6%$24.07B$5.14B21.867,000
CWCO
Consolidated Water
4.5753 of 5 stars
$29.41
flat
$40.00
+36.0%
+10.7%$470.56M$128.33M32.68200
GWRS
Global Water Resources
4.4427 of 5 stars
$7.22
flat
$15.00
+107.8%
-28.5%$207.65M$55.76M103.1490
MSEX
Middlesex Water
2.506 of 5 stars
$52.11
flat
$56.67
+8.7%
-9.8%$970.29M$194.69M21.71350
AWR
American States Water
3.1217 of 5 stars
$76.61
0.0%
N/A-1.9%$3.00B$679.25M22.33810

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This page (NYSE:AWK) was last updated on 5/31/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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