AWK vs. SRE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AWK and SRE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	AWK	SRE
Company Name	American Water Works Company, Inc.	Sempra
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Water Utilities	Multi-Utilities
Market Capitalization	28.17 billion USD	53.30 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	April 23, 2008	June 29, 1998
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AWK and SRE 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.

AWK vs. SRE: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	SRE
5-Day Price Return	-0.56%	-1.16%
13-Week Price Return	1.80%	6.44%
26-Week Price Return	12.94%	-4.28%
52-Week Price Return	3.13%	0.47%
Month-to-Date Return	2.97%	0.01%
Year-to-Date Return	15.99%	-6.87%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.11M	2.89M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.31M	3.69M
3-Month Volatility	19.60%	19.38%
Beta	0.72	0.66

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AWK

10.34%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 14.76%
Q3: 13.44%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 6.84%
Min: 5.11%

AWK’s Return on Equity of 10.34% is on par with the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

SRE

8.73%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 19.69%
Q3: 12.97%
Median: 9.30%
Q1: 7.88%
Min: 4.34%

SRE’s Return on Equity of 8.73% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AWK

21.91%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 33.53%
Q3: 23.04%
Median: 13.50%
Q1: 8.95%
Min: -3.68%

AWK’s Net Profit Margin of 21.91% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Water Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

SRE

23.49%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 25.37%
Q3: 15.24%
Median: 8.50%
Q1: 4.09%
Min: -1.05%

A Net Profit Margin of 23.49% places SRE in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AWK

36.48%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 54.67%
Q3: 39.13%
Median: 31.40%
Q1: 24.32%
Min: 7.04%

AWK’s Operating Profit Margin of 36.48% is around the midpoint for the Water Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

SRE

26.26%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 43.73%
Q3: 25.91%
Median: 19.49%
Q1: 8.11%
Min: -0.18%

An Operating Profit Margin of 26.26% places SRE in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	SRE
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.34%	8.73%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.29%	2.79%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	21.91%	23.49%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	36.48%	26.26%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AWK

0.35

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 1.94
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.38

AWK’s Current Ratio of 0.35 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.

SRE

0.48

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 1.64
Q3: 1.22
Median: 0.94
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.50

SRE’s Current Ratio of 0.48 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AWK

1.40

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.48
Q3: 3.71
Median: 1.82
Q1: 0.96
Min: 0.58

AWK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.40 is typical for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

SRE

1.22

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 2.58
Q3: 1.96
Median: 1.56
Q1: 1.20
Min: 0.53

SRE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.22 is typical for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AWK

4.17

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 4.65
Median: 3.25
Q1: 2.23
Min: 0.58

AWK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.17 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

SRE

3.18

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 12.21
Q3: 7.03
Median: 3.61
Q1: 2.92
Min: 1.62

SRE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.18 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	SRE
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.35	0.48
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.32	0.39
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.40	1.22
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	4.17	3.18

Growth

Revenue Growth

AWK vs. SRE: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AWK vs. SRE: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AWK

2.06%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.64%
Q3: 5.51%
Median: 4.50%
Q1: 2.37%
Min: 0.00%

AWK’s Dividend Yield of 2.06% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

SRE

2.93%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 8.75%
Q3: 5.46%
Median: 4.09%
Q1: 2.93%
Min: 0.00%

SRE’s Dividend Yield of 2.93% is consistent with its peers in the Multi-Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AWK

56.23%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 324.59%
Q3: 254.46%
Median: 142.60%
Q1: 57.04%
Min: 12.69%

AWK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 56.23% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

SRE

58.53%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 128.77%
Q3: 97.17%
Median: 66.46%
Q1: 52.95%
Min: 24.73%

SRE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.53% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	SRE
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.06%	2.93%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	56.23%	58.53%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AWK

27.30

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 34.48
Q3: 27.82
Median: 18.45
Q1: 14.12
Min: 7.14

AWK’s P/E Ratio of 27.30 is within the middle range for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

SRE

19.98

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 28.21
Q3: 21.40
Median: 16.89
Q1: 11.54
Min: 5.08

SRE’s P/E Ratio of 19.98 is within the middle range for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AWK

5.98

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.76
Median: 2.73
Q1: 2.16
Min: 1.04

With a P/S Ratio of 5.98, AWK trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Water Utilities industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

SRE

4.70

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 4.54
Q3: 3.52
Median: 1.87
Q1: 0.50
Min: 0.27

With a P/S Ratio of 4.70, SRE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Multi-Utilities industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AWK

2.54

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 3.24
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.65

AWK’s P/B Ratio of 2.54 is within the conventional range for the Water Utilities 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.

SRE

1.56

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 2.70
Q3: 1.97
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.86

SRE’s P/B Ratio of 1.56 is within the conventional range for the Multi-Utilities 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.

AWK vs. SRE: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	SRE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	27.30	19.98
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.98	4.70
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.54	1.56
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	4,224.17	337.00