AEP vs. SBS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AEP and SBS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AEP’s market capitalization of 55.48 billion USD is substantially larger than SBS’s 14.86 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
AEP’s beta of 0.41 points to significantly higher volatility compared to SBS (beta: 0.13), suggesting AEP has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
SBS is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), allowing U.S. investors direct exposure to its non-U.S. operations. AEP, on the other hand, is a domestic entity.
| Symbol | AEP | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | American Electric Power Company, Inc. | Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP |
| Country | US | BR |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Regulated Electric | Regulated Water |
| CEO | William J. Fehrman | Carlos Augusto Leone Piani |
| Price | 103.86 USD | 21.74 USD |
| Market Cap | 55.48 billion USD | 14.86 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.41 | 0.13 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | January 2, 1962 | May 10, 2002 |
| ADR | No | Yes |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AEP and SBS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AEP
10.33%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 18.07%
- Q3
- 12.49%
- Median
- 10.00%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- 5.02%
AEP’s Return on Equity of 10.33% is on par with the norm for the Regulated Electric industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
SBS
28.24%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 10.35%
- Q3
- 10.08%
- Median
- 8.98%
- Q1
- 8.05%
- Min
- 7.36%
SBS’s Return on Equity of 28.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Regulated Water industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Return on Invested Capital
AEP
4.16%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 5.26%
- Q3
- 4.57%
- Median
- 3.97%
- Q1
- 3.33%
- Min
- 1.92%
AEP’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.16% is in line with the norm for the Regulated Electric industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
SBS
15.40%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 6.92%
- Q3
- 6.34%
- Median
- 4.28%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- 2.54%
SBS’s Return on Invested Capital of 15.40% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Regulated Water industry. This demonstrates an outstanding ability to deploy capital efficiently and create significant value.
Net Profit Margin
AEP
13.71%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 22.24%
- Q3
- 15.98%
- Median
- 13.10%
- Q1
- 11.03%
- Min
- 3.79%
AEP’s Net Profit Margin of 13.71% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Regulated Electric industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
SBS
26.93%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 27.17%
- Q3
- 24.08%
- Median
- 20.75%
- Q1
- 16.72%
- Min
- 6.15%
A Net Profit Margin of 26.93% places SBS in the upper quartile for the Regulated Water industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
AEP
21.90%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 31.57%
- Q3
- 25.65%
- Median
- 21.93%
- Q1
- 17.87%
- Min
- 8.99%
AEP’s Operating Profit Margin of 21.90% is around the midpoint for the Regulated Electric industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
SBS
43.90%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 42.87%
- Q3
- 36.84%
- Median
- 28.06%
- Q1
- 23.46%
- Min
- 12.18%
SBS’s Operating Profit Margin of 43.90% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Regulated Water industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AEP | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.33% | 28.24% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.65% | 11.95% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.16% | 15.40% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.71% | 26.93% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.90% | 43.90% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 62.60% | 53.87% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AEP
0.42
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 1.48
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.86
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.28
AEP’s Current Ratio of 0.42 falls into the lower quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
SBS
1.09
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 0.98
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.46
SBS’s Current Ratio of 1.09 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Regulated Water industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AEP
1.72
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 2.38
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.27
AEP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.72 is typical for the Regulated Electric industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
SBS
0.72
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 1.38
- Q3
- 1.15
- Median
- 0.90
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- 0.68
Falling into the lower quartile for the Regulated Water industry, SBS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AEP
2.30
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 3.07
- Q3
- 2.63
- Median
- 2.41
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 1.87
In the lower quartile for the Regulated Electric industry, AEP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.30 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
SBS
7.11
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 4.22
- Q3
- 4.04
- Median
- 3.07
- Q1
- 3.00
- Min
- 2.48
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.11, SBS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Regulated Water industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AEP | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.42 | 1.09 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.31 | 1.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 1.72 | 0.72 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.45 | 0.32 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 6.42 | 1.26 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.30 | 7.11 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AEP and SBS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AEP
3.53%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 6.60%
- Q3
- 4.03%
- Median
- 3.30%
- Q1
- 3.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
AEP’s Dividend Yield of 3.53% is consistent with its peers in the Regulated Electric industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SBS
3.17%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 3.58%
- Q3
- 2.94%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 2.07%
- Min
- 0.81%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.17%, SBS offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Regulated Water industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AEP
70.11%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 123.06%
- Q3
- 69.07%
- Median
- 62.27%
- Q1
- 52.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
AEP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 70.11% is in the upper quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
SBS
9.07%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 99.35%
- Q3
- 57.39%
- Median
- 55.65%
- Q1
- 52.94%
- Min
- 0.00%
SBS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 9.07% is in the lower quartile for the Regulated Water industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AEP | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.53% | 3.17% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 70.11% | 9.07% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AEP
20.04
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 26.46
- Q3
- 21.71
- Median
- 19.07
- Q1
- 17.74
- Min
- 12.74
AEP’s P/E Ratio of 20.04 is within the middle range for the Regulated Electric industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
SBS
7.87
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 26.42
- Q3
- 23.54
- Median
- 20.16
- Q1
- 17.14
- Min
- 8.21
SBS’s P/E Ratio of 7.87 is below the typical range for the Regulated Water industry. This may indicate that the stock is potentially undervalued, or it could reflect market concerns about the company’s future prospects.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AEP
2.79
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 4.21
- Q3
- 3.10
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 2.34
- Min
- 1.46
AEP’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.79 is within the middle range of its peers in the Regulated Electric industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
SBS
1.65
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 3.77
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.48
- Min
- 0.23
SBS’s Forward PEG Ratio of 1.65 is within the middle range of its peers in the Regulated Water industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AEP
2.75
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 3.88
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 2.68
- Q1
- 1.96
- Min
- 0.27
AEP’s P/S Ratio of 2.75 aligns with the market consensus for the Regulated Electric industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
SBS
2.12
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 6.05
- Q3
- 4.92
- Median
- 3.71
- Q1
- 2.93
- Min
- 2.18
SBS’s P/S Ratio of 2.12 falls below the typical floor for the Regulated Water industry. This could suggest the stock is overlooked or deeply undervalued relative to its sales, but may also reflect significant market concerns about its future.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AEP
2.03
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 2.95
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.55
AEP’s P/B Ratio of 2.03 is within the conventional range for the Regulated Electric industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
SBS
2.10
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 3.06
- Q3
- 2.19
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 1.62
- Min
- 1.25
SBS’s P/B Ratio of 2.10 is within the conventional range for the Regulated Water industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AEP | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 20.04 | 7.87 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 2.79 | 1.65 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.03 | 2.10 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -42.71 | 11.57 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 14.06 | 5.48 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.07 | 2.75 |