KEP vs. SBS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 26, 2025

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

Company Profile

Both KEP and SBS are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.

Symbol	KEP	SBS
Company Name	Korea Electric Power Corporation	Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP
Country	South Korea	Brazil
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Electric Utilities	Water Utilities
Market Capitalization	18.24 billion USD	15.00 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	October 27, 1994	May 10, 2002
Security Type	ADR	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of KEP 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	KEP	SBS
5-Day Price Return	-1.77%	-0.42%
13-Week Price Return	32.25%	1.60%
26-Week Price Return	87.20%	17.06%
52-Week Price Return	-7.95%	19.43%
Month-to-Date Return	0.52%	9.81%
Year-to-Date Return	93.27%	34.38%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.67M	3.15M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.54M	3.07M
3-Month Volatility	66.55%	30.65%
Beta	0.39	0.08

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

KEP

13.40%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 23.82%
Q3: 14.31%
Median: 10.58%
Q1: 7.57%
Min: 1.03%

KEP’s Return on Equity of 13.40% 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: 14.76%
Q3: 13.44%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 6.84%
Min: 5.11%

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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

KEP

5.72%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 29.46%
Q3: 17.23%
Median: 11.43%
Q1: 7.33%
Min: -2.53%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Net Profit Margin of 5.72% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

SBS

33.53%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 33.53%
Q3: 23.04%
Median: 13.50%
Q1: 8.95%
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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

KEP

11.77%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 46.44%
Q3: 26.51%
Median: 19.26%
Q1: 11.77%
Min: 2.81%

KEP’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.77% 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: 39.13%
Median: 31.40%
Q1: 24.32%
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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	KEP	SBS
Return on Equity (TTM)	13.40%	28.24%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.14%	13.32%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	5.72%	33.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	11.77%	54.67%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	-19.73%	16.67%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

KEP

0.47

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 1.81
Q3: 1.22
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.78
Min: 0.34

KEP’s Current Ratio of 0.47 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: 1.40
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.38

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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

KEP

3.26

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 3.40
Q3: 1.83
Median: 1.32
Q1: 0.64
Min: 0.00

KEP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.26. 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: 3.71
Median: 1.82
Q1: 0.96
Min: 0.58

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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

KEP

2.57

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 18.68
Q3: 10.64
Median: 3.32
Q1: 2.62
Min: -3.31

In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.57 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: 4.65
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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	KEP	SBS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.47	1.09
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.30	1.08
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	3.26	0.72
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.57	17.26

Growth

Revenue Growth

KEP vs. SBS: 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

KEP vs. SBS: 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)

KEP

0.53%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 7.00%
Q3: 4.67%
Median: 3.84%
Q1: 2.48%
Min: 0.00%

KEP’s Dividend Yield of 0.53% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

SBS

1.18%

Water Utilities Industry

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

SBS’s Dividend Yield of 1.18% 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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

KEP

4.33%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 150.16%
Q3: 88.91%
Median: 65.69%
Q1: 34.65%
Min: 0.00%

KEP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 4.33% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

SBS

12.69%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 324.59%
Q3: 254.46%
Median: 142.60%
Q1: 57.04%
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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	KEP	SBS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.53%	1.18%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	4.33%	12.69%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

KEP

4.56

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 39.85
Q3: 21.79
Median: 15.62
Q1: 8.97
Min: 3.03

In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/E Ratio of 4.56 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

SBS

7.69

Water Utilities Industry

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

In the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry, SBS’s P/E Ratio of 7.69 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

KEP

0.26

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 5.96
Q3: 3.09
Median: 1.93
Q1: 1.14
Min: 0.15

In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/S Ratio of 0.26 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

SBS

2.58

Water Utilities Industry

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

SBS’s P/S Ratio of 2.58 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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

KEP

0.33

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 2.99
Q3: 1.99
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.11
Min: 0.18

KEP’s P/B Ratio of 0.33 is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities 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.

SBS

1.82

Water Utilities Industry

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

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.

KEP vs. SBS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electric Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	KEP	SBS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	4.56	7.69
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.26	2.58
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.33	1.82
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	4.97	39.10