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

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

Company Profile

SymbolAWKVST
Company NameAmerican Water Works Company, Inc.Vistra Corp.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorUtilitiesUtilities
GICS IndustryWater UtilitiesIndependent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers
Market Capitalization28.24 billion USD65.93 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateApril 23, 2008October 5, 2016
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AWK and VST 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. VST: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAWKVST
5-Day Price Return-0.77%2.27%
13-Week Price Return1.12%18.76%
26-Week Price Return9.10%29.35%
52-Week Price Return2.62%129.26%
Month-to-Date Return3.22%-6.68%
Year-to-Date Return16.27%41.15%
10-Day Avg. Volume1.12M3.38M
3-Month Avg. Volume1.32M5.27M
3-Month Volatility19.35%39.03%
Beta0.721.35

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.

VST

46.24%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
30.49%
Q3
14.63%
Median
7.41%
Q1
3.67%
Min
-8.17%

VST’s Return on Equity of 46.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

14.92%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
32.12%
Q3
16.71%
Median
10.67%
Q1
5.10%
Min
-6.37%

VST’s Net Profit Margin of 14.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

22.38%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
42.59%
Q3
29.96%
Median
18.17%
Q1
12.79%
Min
4.70%

VST’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.38% is around the midpoint for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAWKVST
Return on Equity (TTM)10.34%46.24%
Return on Assets (TTM)3.29%6.28%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)21.91%14.92%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)36.48%22.38%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)--8.71%

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.

VST

0.90

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
1.74
Q3
1.21
Median
0.86
Q1
0.62
Min
0.25

VST’s Current Ratio of 0.90 aligns with the median group of the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

4.00

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
3.93
Q3
2.66
Median
1.75
Q1
1.05
Min
0.22

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.00, VST operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

5.47

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
10.03
Q3
7.41
Median
2.59
Q1
1.32
Min
-1.62

VST’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAWKVST
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.350.90
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.320.73
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.404.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)4.175.47

Growth

Revenue Growth

AWK vs. VST: 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. VST: 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.

VST

0.77%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
8.02%
Q3
5.65%
Median
4.08%
Q1
2.47%
Min
0.00%

VST’s Dividend Yield of 0.77% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

14.95%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
125.56%
Q3
90.24%
Median
50.41%
Q1
17.76%
Min
0.00%

VST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.95% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAWKVST
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.06%0.77%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)56.23%14.95%

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.

VST

27.39

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
51.94
Q3
27.00
Median
10.10
Q1
7.02
Min
4.18

A P/E Ratio of 27.39 places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

4.09

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
6.94
Q3
3.56
Median
2.46
Q1
0.86
Min
0.39

VST’s P/S Ratio of 4.09 is in the upper echelon for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

13.64

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
3.49
Q3
1.92
Median
1.33
Q1
0.81
Min
0.35

At 13.64, VST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

AWK vs. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAWKVST
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)27.3027.39
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.984.09
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)2.5413.64
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)4,224.1742.40