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Northwest Natural Gas (NWN) Competitors

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$51.23 +0.83 (+1.64%)
Closing price 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$51.16 -0.07 (-0.14%)
As of 06:26 PM Eastern
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NWN vs. LNT, ATO, AVA, BKH, and CPK

Should you buy Northwest Natural Gas stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Northwest Natural Gas 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 Northwest Natural Gas include Alliant Energy (LNT), Atmos Energy (ATO), Avista (AVA), Black Hills (BKH), and Chesapeake Utilities (CPK). These companies are all part of the "utilities" sector.

How does Northwest Natural Gas compare to Alliant Energy?

Alliant Energy (NASDAQ:LNT) and Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) are both utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, risk, earnings, dividends and media sentiment.

In the previous week, Alliant Energy had 4 more articles in the media than Northwest Natural Gas. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for Alliant Energy and 6 mentions for Northwest Natural Gas. Alliant Energy's average media sentiment score of 1.09 beat Northwest Natural Gas' score of 1.01 indicating that Alliant Energy is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Alliant Energy
6 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Northwest Natural Gas
3 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

79.9% of Alliant Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.1% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Alliant Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Alliant Energy pays an annual dividend of $2.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Northwest Natural Gas pays an annual dividend of $1.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Alliant Energy pays out 67.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Natural Gas pays out 67.2% 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. Alliant Energy has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years and Northwest Natural Gas has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years. Northwest Natural Gas is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Alliant Energy has a net margin of 18.58% compared to Northwest Natural Gas' net margin of 9.56%. Alliant Energy's return on equity of 11.37% beat Northwest Natural Gas' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Alliant Energy18.58% 11.37% 3.38%
Northwest Natural Gas 9.56%8.46%2.08%

Alliant Energy currently has a consensus target price of $77.18, indicating a potential upside of 0.72%. Northwest Natural Gas has a consensus target price of $55.25, indicating a potential upside of 7.85%. Given Northwest Natural Gas' higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Northwest Natural Gas is more favorable than Alliant Energy.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Alliant Energy
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.64
Northwest Natural Gas
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

Alliant Energy has a beta of 0.55, meaning that its share price is 45% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Natural Gas has a beta of 0.43, meaning that its share price is 57% less volatile than the broader market.

Alliant Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Natural Gas. Northwest Natural Gas is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Alliant Energy, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Alliant Energy$4.36B4.54$810M$3.1924.02
Northwest Natural Gas$1.29B1.67$113.32M$2.9317.48

Summary

Alliant Energy beats Northwest Natural Gas on 15 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Northwest Natural Gas compare to Atmos Energy?

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) and Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) are both utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, earnings and risk.

90.2% of Atmos Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.1% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of Atmos Energy shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by 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.

Atmos Energy presently has a consensus target price of $185.36, indicating a potential upside of 3.30%. Northwest Natural Gas has a consensus target price of $55.25, indicating a potential upside of 7.85%. Given Northwest Natural Gas' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Northwest Natural Gas is more favorable than Atmos Energy.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Atmos Energy
0 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.23
Northwest Natural Gas
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

In the previous week, Atmos Energy had 3 more articles in the media than Northwest Natural Gas. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for Atmos Energy and 6 mentions for Northwest Natural Gas. Northwest Natural Gas' average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat Atmos Energy's score of 0.94 indicating that Northwest Natural Gas is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Atmos Energy
5 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Northwest Natural Gas
3 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Atmos Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Natural Gas. Northwest Natural Gas is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Atmos Energy, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Atmos Energy$4.70B6.37$1.20B$8.1422.05
Northwest Natural Gas$1.29B1.67$113.32M$2.9317.48

Atmos Energy has a beta of 0.6, suggesting that its share price is 40% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Natural Gas has a beta of 0.43, suggesting that its share price is 57% less volatile than the broader market.

Atmos Energy has a net margin of 27.58% compared to Northwest Natural Gas' net margin of 9.56%. Atmos Energy's return on equity of 9.59% beat Northwest Natural Gas' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Atmos Energy27.58% 9.59% 4.64%
Northwest Natural Gas 9.56%8.46%2.08%

Atmos Energy pays an annual dividend of $4.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Northwest Natural Gas pays an annual dividend of $1.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Atmos Energy pays out 49.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Natural Gas pays out 67.2% 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. Atmos Energy has raised its dividend for 41 consecutive years and Northwest Natural Gas has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years. Northwest Natural Gas is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Atmos Energy beats Northwest Natural Gas on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Northwest Natural Gas compare to Avista?

Avista (NYSE:AVA) and Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, media sentiment, valuation, risk and earnings.

Avista pays an annual dividend of $1.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. Northwest Natural Gas pays an annual dividend of $1.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Avista pays out 78.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Northwest Natural Gas pays out 67.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Avista has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years and Northwest Natural Gas has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years.

Avista has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Natural Gas. Avista is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northwest Natural Gas, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Avista$1.96B1.77$193M$2.5116.75
Northwest Natural Gas$1.29B1.67$113.32M$2.9317.48

Avista has a net margin of 10.75% compared to Northwest Natural Gas' net margin of 9.56%. Northwest Natural Gas' return on equity of 8.46% beat Avista's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Avista10.75% 7.65% 2.50%
Northwest Natural Gas 9.56%8.46%2.08%

Avista currently has a consensus target price of $40.00, suggesting a potential downside of 4.85%. Northwest Natural Gas has a consensus target price of $55.25, suggesting a potential upside of 7.85%. Given Northwest Natural Gas' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Northwest Natural Gas is more favorable than Avista.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Avista
0 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.14
Northwest Natural Gas
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

Avista has a beta of 0.25, suggesting that its share price is 75% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Natural Gas has a beta of 0.43, suggesting that its share price is 57% less volatile than the broader market.

85.2% of Avista shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.1% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Avista shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Northwest Natural Gas had 3 more articles in the media than Avista. MarketBeat recorded 6 mentions for Northwest Natural Gas and 3 mentions for Avista. Northwest Natural Gas' average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat Avista's score of 0.53 indicating that Northwest Natural Gas is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Avista
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Northwest Natural Gas
3 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Northwest Natural Gas beats Avista on 12 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Northwest Natural Gas compare to Black Hills?

Black Hills (NYSE:BKH) and Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, risk, dividends, valuation, media sentiment and earnings.

Black Hills pays an annual dividend of $2.81 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Northwest Natural Gas pays an annual dividend of $1.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Black Hills pays out 73.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Natural Gas pays out 67.2% 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. Black Hills has increased its dividend for 55 consecutive years and Northwest Natural Gas has increased its dividend for 70 consecutive years. Northwest Natural Gas is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

In the previous week, Northwest Natural Gas had 1 more articles in the media than Black Hills. MarketBeat recorded 6 mentions for Northwest Natural Gas and 5 mentions for Black Hills. Northwest Natural Gas' average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat Black Hills' score of 0.62 indicating that Northwest Natural Gas is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Black Hills
1 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Northwest Natural Gas
3 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Black Hills has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its share price is 29% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Natural Gas has a beta of 0.43, suggesting that its share price is 57% less volatile than the broader market.

86.7% of Black Hills shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.1% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Black Hills shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Northwest Natural Gas 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.

Black Hills presently has a consensus price target of $82.67, suggesting a potential upside of 9.11%. Northwest Natural Gas has a consensus price target of $55.25, suggesting a potential upside of 7.85%. Given Black Hills' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Black Hills is more favorable than Northwest Natural Gas.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Black Hills
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
Northwest Natural Gas
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

Black Hills has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Natural Gas. Northwest Natural Gas is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Black Hills, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Black Hills$2.31B2.50$291.60M$3.8419.73
Northwest Natural Gas$1.29B1.67$113.32M$2.9317.48

Black Hills has a net margin of 12.61% compared to Northwest Natural Gas' net margin of 9.56%. Northwest Natural Gas' return on equity of 8.46% beat Black Hills' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Black Hills12.61% 7.77% 2.86%
Northwest Natural Gas 9.56%8.46%2.08%

Summary

Black Hills beats Northwest Natural Gas on 13 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Northwest Natural Gas compare to Chesapeake Utilities?

Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE:CPK) and Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Chesapeake Utilities has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Northwest Natural Gas. Northwest Natural Gas is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Chesapeake Utilities, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Chesapeake Utilities$930M3.45$140.30M$6.2421.41
Northwest Natural Gas$1.29B1.67$113.32M$2.9317.48

In the previous week, Chesapeake Utilities and Chesapeake Utilities both had 6 articles in the media. Northwest Natural Gas' average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat Chesapeake Utilities' score of 0.26 indicating that Northwest Natural Gas is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Chesapeake Utilities
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Northwest Natural Gas
3 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Chesapeake Utilities presently has a consensus target price of $137.00, indicating a potential upside of 2.55%. Northwest Natural Gas has a consensus target price of $55.25, indicating a potential upside of 7.85%. Given Northwest Natural Gas' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Northwest Natural Gas is more favorable than Chesapeake Utilities.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Chesapeake Utilities
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25
Northwest Natural Gas
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

Chesapeake Utilities has a net margin of 15.11% compared to Northwest Natural Gas' net margin of 9.56%. Chesapeake Utilities' return on equity of 9.53% beat Northwest Natural Gas' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Chesapeake Utilities15.11% 9.53% 3.81%
Northwest Natural Gas 9.56%8.46%2.08%

Chesapeake Utilities has a beta of 0.69, suggesting that its share price is 31% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Natural Gas has a beta of 0.43, suggesting that its share price is 57% less volatile than the broader market.

83.1% of Chesapeake Utilities shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.1% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Chesapeake Utilities shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Chesapeake Utilities pays an annual dividend of $2.94 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Northwest Natural Gas pays an annual dividend of $1.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Chesapeake Utilities pays out 47.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Natural Gas pays out 67.2% 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. Chesapeake Utilities has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years and Northwest Natural Gas has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years. Northwest Natural Gas is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Chesapeake Utilities beats Northwest Natural Gas on 11 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 NWN 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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NWN vs. The Competition

MetricNorthwest Natural GasUTIL IndustryUtilities SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$2.12B$11.18B$18.88B$23.46B
Dividend Yield3.91%3.95%3.98%4.02%
P/E Ratio17.4812.8219.8531.08
Price / Sales1.672.5735.8519.77
Price / Cash6.759.5119.4018.64
Price / Book1.441.662.444.77
Net Income$113.32M$472.46M$785.96M$1.06B
7 Day Performance5.15%3.63%-0.13%-0.56%
1 Month Performance2.68%1.38%-0.67%-0.11%
1 Year Performance23.40%10.40%13.45%16.64%

Northwest Natural Gas Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
NWN
Northwest Natural Gas
4.3479 of 5 stars
$51.23
+1.6%
$55.25
+7.9%
+21.4%$2.12B$1.29B17.481,619
LNT
Alliant Energy
3.5792 of 5 stars
$76.58
-1.9%
$76.60
+0.0%
+23.1%$20.15B$4.36B24.012,948
ATO
Atmos Energy
3.7631 of 5 stars
$173.92
-1.7%
$183.90
+5.7%
+14.2%$29.52B$4.70B21.375,487
AVA
Avista
3.2732 of 5 stars
$40.65
-1.8%
$40.00
-1.6%
+10.2%$3.42B$1.96B16.201,929
BKH
Black Hills
4.0934 of 5 stars
$72.28
-2.0%
$81.17
+12.3%
+31.9%$5.62B$2.31B18.822,795

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This page (NYSE:NWN) was last updated on 7/13/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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