FE vs. SBS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FE and SBS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
FE is a standard domestic listing, while SBS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | FE | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | FirstEnergy Corp. | Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP |
| Country | United States | Brazil |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Electric Utilities | Water Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 26.52 billion USD | 16.87 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 10, 1997 | May 10, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FE 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | FE | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.15% | -0.87% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 15.17% | 8.02% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 13.63% | 24.77% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.27% | 40.79% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.24% | -3.71% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 15.46% | 43.81% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.77M | 3.08M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.23M | 2.81M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 12.38% | 30.12% |
| Beta | 0.66 | -0.11 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FE
10.40%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.46%
- Q3
- 14.70%
- Median
- 10.64%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- 0.02%
FE’s Return on Equity of 10.40% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
SBS
28.24%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 13.44%
- Q3
- 13.09%
- Median
- 10.11%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- 4.46%
SBS’s Return on Equity of 28.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FE
9.55%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.56%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 11.20%
- Q1
- 7.30%
- Min
- 0.01%
FE’s Net Profit Margin of 9.55% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
SBS
33.53%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.53%
- Q3
- 21.87%
- Median
- 13.16%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- Min
- -3.68%
A Net Profit Margin of 33.53% places SBS 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)
FE
19.68%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 38.77%
- Q3
- 25.54%
- Median
- 18.87%
- Q1
- 14.12%
- Min
- 0.02%
FE’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.68% is around the midpoint for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
SBS
54.67%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 54.67%
- Q3
- 38.51%
- Median
- 31.40%
- Q1
- 23.53%
- Min
- 7.04%
An Operating Profit Margin of 54.67% places SBS 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 | FE | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.40% | 28.24% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.49% | 13.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.55% | 33.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.68% | 54.67% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 60.84% | 16.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FE
0.61
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.13
FE’s Current Ratio of 0.61 falls into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities 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
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.94
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.18
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.53
SBS’s Current Ratio of 1.09 aligns with the median group of the Water Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FE
2.01
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.00
FE’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.01. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
SBS
0.72
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, 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 (TTM)
FE
2.62
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 9.89
- Median
- 3.33
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -3.31
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, FE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.62 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
SBS
17.26
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 4.78
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.58
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.26, SBS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FE | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.61 | 1.09 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.44 | 1.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.01 | 0.72 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.62 | 17.26 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FE
3.74%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.66%
- Median
- 3.55%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
FE’s Dividend Yield of 3.74% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SBS
1.07%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.36%
- Q3
- 5.31%
- Median
- 4.52%
- Q1
- 2.37%
- Min
- 0.00%
SBS’s Dividend Yield of 1.07% 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FE
75.84%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 84.46%
- Median
- 60.94%
- Q1
- 31.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
FE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 75.84% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
SBS
12.69%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 324.59%
- Q3
- 277.83%
- Median
- 155.19%
- Q1
- 56.47%
- Min
- 12.69%
SBS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.69% 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 | FE | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.74% | 1.07% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 75.84% | 12.69% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FE
20.28
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 34.39
- Q3
- 21.23
- Median
- 15.47
- Q1
- 10.17
- Min
- 3.08
FE’s P/E Ratio of 20.28 is within the middle range for the Electric 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.
SBS
8.50
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.11
- Q3
- 28.79
- Median
- 20.03
- Q1
- 14.12
- Min
- 8.63
SBS’s P/E Ratio of 8.50 is below the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This may indicate that the stock is potentially undervalued, or it could reflect market concerns about the company’s future prospects.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FE
1.94
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.03
- Q3
- 3.06
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.00
FE’s P/S Ratio of 1.94 aligns with the market consensus for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
SBS
2.85
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.61
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.97
- Q1
- 2.05
- Min
- 0.95
SBS’s P/S Ratio of 2.85 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FE
1.81
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.27
FE’s P/B Ratio of 1.81 is within the conventional range for the Electric 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.
SBS
1.82
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 3.24
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.62
SBS’s P/B Ratio of 1.82 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 | FE | SBS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.28 | 8.50 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.94 | 2.85 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.81 | 1.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 156.00 | 43.18 |