AWK vs. FTS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AWK and FTS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AWK’s market capitalization stands at 27.31 billion USD, while FTS’s is 23.78 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
AWK’s beta of 0.70 points to significantly higher volatility compared to FTS (beta: 0.34), suggesting AWK has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | AWK | FTS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | American Water Works Company, Inc. | Fortis Inc. |
| Country | US | CA |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Regulated Water | Regulated Electric |
| CEO | John C. Griffith | David Gerard Hutchens |
| Price | 140.05 USD | 47.41 USD |
| Market Cap | 27.31 billion USD | 23.78 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.70 | 0.34 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | April 23, 2008 | January 5, 2010 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AWK and FTS 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
AWK
10.35%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 10.35%
- Q3
- 10.08%
- Median
- 8.98%
- Q1
- 8.05%
- Min
- 7.36%
In the upper quartile for the Regulated Water industry, AWK’s Return on Equity of 10.35% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
FTS
7.40%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 18.07%
- Q3
- 12.49%
- Median
- 10.00%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- 5.02%
FTS’s Return on Equity of 7.40% is in the lower quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Return on Invested Capital
AWK
4.28%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 6.92%
- Q3
- 6.34%
- Median
- 4.28%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- 2.54%
AWK’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.28% is in line with the norm for the Regulated Water industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
FTS
3.99%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 5.26%
- Q3
- 4.57%
- Median
- 3.97%
- Q1
- 3.33%
- Min
- 1.92%
FTS’s Return on Invested Capital of 3.99% is in line with the norm for the Regulated Electric industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
AWK
22.24%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 27.17%
- Q3
- 24.08%
- Median
- 20.75%
- Q1
- 16.72%
- Min
- 6.15%
AWK’s Net Profit Margin of 22.24% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Regulated Water industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
FTS
14.69%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 22.24%
- Q3
- 15.98%
- Median
- 13.10%
- Q1
- 11.03%
- Min
- 3.79%
FTS’s Net Profit Margin of 14.69% 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.
Operating Profit Margin
AWK
36.59%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 42.87%
- Q3
- 36.84%
- Median
- 28.06%
- Q1
- 23.46%
- Min
- 12.18%
AWK’s Operating Profit Margin of 36.59% is around the midpoint for the Regulated Water industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
FTS
28.73%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 31.57%
- Q3
- 25.65%
- Median
- 21.93%
- Q1
- 17.87%
- Min
- 8.99%
An Operating Profit Margin of 28.73% places FTS in the upper quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AWK | FTS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.35% | 7.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.23% | 2.31% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.28% | 3.99% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.24% | 14.69% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.59% | 28.73% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 56.18% | 61.64% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AWK
0.49
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 0.98
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.46
AWK’s Current Ratio of 0.49 falls into the lower quartile for the Regulated Water industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
FTS
0.76
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 1.48
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.86
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.28
FTS’s Current Ratio of 0.76 aligns with the median group of the Regulated Electric industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AWK
1.38
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 1.38
- Q3
- 1.15
- Median
- 0.90
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- 0.68
AWK’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Regulated Water industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.38. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
FTS
1.43
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 2.38
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.27
FTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.43 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AWK
3.24
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 4.22
- Q3
- 4.04
- Median
- 3.07
- Q1
- 3.00
- Min
- 2.48
AWK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.24 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Regulated Water industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
FTS
2.34
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 3.07
- Q3
- 2.63
- Median
- 2.41
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 1.87
FTS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.34 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Regulated Electric industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AWK | FTS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.49 | 0.76 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.44 | 0.63 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 1.38 | 1.43 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.44 | 0.46 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 5.31 | 6.05 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.24 | 2.34 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AWK and FTS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AWK
2.23%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 3.58%
- Q3
- 2.94%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 2.07%
- Min
- 0.81%
AWK’s Dividend Yield of 2.23% is consistent with its peers in the Regulated Water industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
FTS
4.14%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 6.60%
- Q3
- 4.03%
- Median
- 3.30%
- Q1
- 3.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.14%, FTS offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Regulated Electric industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AWK
55.65%
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 99.35%
- Q3
- 57.39%
- Median
- 55.65%
- Q1
- 52.94%
- Min
- 0.00%
AWK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 55.65% is within the typical range for the Regulated Water industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
FTS
48.40%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 123.06%
- Q3
- 69.07%
- Median
- 62.27%
- Q1
- 52.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
FTS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 48.40% is in the lower quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AWK | FTS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.23% | 4.14% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 55.65% | 48.40% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AWK
25.50
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 26.42
- Q3
- 23.54
- Median
- 20.16
- Q1
- 17.14
- Min
- 8.21
A P/E Ratio of 25.50 places AWK in the upper quartile for the Regulated Water industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
FTS
18.67
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 26.46
- Q3
- 21.71
- Median
- 19.07
- Q1
- 17.74
- Min
- 12.74
FTS’s P/E Ratio of 18.67 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.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AWK
3.73
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 3.77
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.48
- Min
- 0.23
A Forward PEG Ratio of 3.73 places AWK in the upper quartile for the Regulated Water industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
FTS
3.60
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 4.21
- Q3
- 3.10
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 2.34
- Min
- 1.46
A Forward PEG Ratio of 3.60 places FTS in the upper quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AWK
5.67
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 6.05
- Q3
- 4.92
- Median
- 3.71
- Q1
- 2.93
- Min
- 2.18
AWK’s P/S Ratio of 5.67 is in the upper echelon for the Regulated Water industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
FTS
2.75
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 3.88
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 2.68
- Q1
- 1.96
- Min
- 0.27
FTS’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.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AWK
2.59
Regulated Water Industry
- Max
- 3.06
- Q3
- 2.19
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 1.62
- Min
- 1.25
AWK’s P/B Ratio of 2.59 is in the upper tier for the Regulated Water industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
FTS
1.33
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 2.95
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.55
FTS’s P/B Ratio of 1.33 is in the lower quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AWK | FTS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 25.50 | 18.67 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.73 | 3.60 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.67 | 2.75 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.59 | 1.33 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -31.04 | -25.42 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 15.39 | 11.81 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 8.66 | 5.64 |