CWT vs. WTRG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CWT and WTRG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CWT | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | California Water Service Group | Essential Utilities, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Water Utilities | Water Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 2.65 billion USD | 10.89 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CWT and WTRG 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CWT | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.28% | 5.56% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.90% | 7.43% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -1.10% | 3.45% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -14.21% | 3.91% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.22% | 0.99% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 1.24% | 9.86% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.39M | 2.21M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.34M | 1.92M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.40% | 17.50% |
| Beta | 0.70 | 0.84 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CWT
8.30%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 13.44%
- Q3
- 13.09%
- Median
- 10.11%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- 4.46%
CWT’s Return on Equity of 8.30% is on par with the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WTRG
10.11%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 13.44%
- Q3
- 13.09%
- Median
- 10.11%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- 4.46%
WTRG’s Return on Equity of 10.11% is on par with the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CWT
13.71%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.53%
- Q3
- 21.87%
- Median
- 13.16%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- Min
- -3.68%
CWT’s Net Profit Margin of 13.71% 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.
WTRG
27.62%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.53%
- Q3
- 21.87%
- Median
- 13.16%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- Min
- -3.68%
A Net Profit Margin of 27.62% places WTRG in the upper quartile for the Water Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CWT
21.11%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 54.67%
- Q3
- 38.51%
- Median
- 31.40%
- Q1
- 23.53%
- Min
- 7.04%
CWT’s Operating Profit Margin of 21.11% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
WTRG
38.74%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 54.67%
- Q3
- 38.51%
- Median
- 31.40%
- Q1
- 23.53%
- Min
- 7.04%
An Operating Profit Margin of 38.74% places WTRG in the upper quartile for the Water Utilities 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 | CWT | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 8.30% | 10.11% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.61% | 3.56% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.71% | 27.62% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.11% | 38.74% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 61.78% | 49.30% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CWT
0.53
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.94
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.18
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.53
CWT’s Current Ratio of 0.53 falls into the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
WTRG
0.73
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.94
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.18
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.53
WTRG’s Current Ratio of 0.73 falls into the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CWT
0.93
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.48
- Q3
- 4.27
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.51
Falling into the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry, CWT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.93 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
WTRG
1.16
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.48
- Q3
- 4.27
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.51
WTRG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.16 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CWT
5.04
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 4.78
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.58
CWT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.04 is in the upper quartile for the Water Utilities industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
WTRG
3.06
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 4.78
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.58
WTRG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CWT | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.53 | 0.73 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.46 | 0.53 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.93 | 1.16 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.04 | 3.06 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CWT
2.65%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.36%
- Q3
- 5.31%
- Median
- 4.52%
- Q1
- 2.37%
- Min
- 0.00%
CWT’s Dividend Yield of 2.65% is consistent with its peers in the Water Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WTRG
3.30%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.36%
- Q3
- 5.31%
- Median
- 4.52%
- Q1
- 2.37%
- Min
- 0.00%
WTRG’s Dividend Yield of 3.30% is consistent with its peers in the Water Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CWT
52.43%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 324.59%
- Q3
- 277.83%
- Median
- 155.19%
- Q1
- 56.47%
- Min
- 12.69%
CWT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 52.43% 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.
WTRG
55.62%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 324.59%
- Q3
- 277.83%
- Median
- 155.19%
- Q1
- 56.47%
- Min
- 12.69%
WTRG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 55.62% 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CWT | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.65% | 3.30% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 52.43% | 55.62% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CWT
19.78
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.11
- Q3
- 28.79
- Median
- 20.03
- Q1
- 14.12
- Min
- 8.63
CWT’s P/E Ratio of 19.78 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.
WTRG
16.87
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.11
- Q3
- 28.79
- Median
- 20.03
- Q1
- 14.12
- Min
- 8.63
WTRG’s P/E Ratio of 16.87 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CWT
2.71
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.61
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.97
- Q1
- 2.05
- Min
- 0.95
CWT’s P/S Ratio of 2.71 aligns with the market consensus for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
WTRG
4.66
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.61
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.97
- Q1
- 2.05
- Min
- 0.95
WTRG’s P/S Ratio of 4.66 is in the upper echelon for the Water Utilities 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CWT
1.64
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 3.24
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.62
CWT’s P/B Ratio of 1.64 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.
WTRG
1.55
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 3.24
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.62
WTRG’s P/B Ratio of 1.55 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CWT | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.78 | 16.87 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.71 | 4.66 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.64 | 1.55 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 296.92 | 375.87 |