NI vs. WTRG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 18, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	NI	WTRG
Company Name	NiSource Inc.	Essential Utilities, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Multi-Utilities	Water Utilities
Market Capitalization	20.10 billion USD	10.99 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 NI 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NI	WTRG
5-Day Price Return	0.73%	1.93%
13-Week Price Return	11.38%	0.13%
26-Week Price Return	11.76%	10.87%
52-Week Price Return	35.23%	0.15%
Month-to-Date Return	0.54%	6.44%
Year-to-Date Return	16.10%	7.85%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.54M	2.26M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.53M	1.80M
3-Month Volatility	18.77%	21.78%
Beta	0.62	0.82

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NI

10.19%

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s Return on Equity of 10.19% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

WTRG

10.11%

Water Utilities Industry

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

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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NI

14.82%

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s Net Profit Margin of 14.82% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Multi-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: 23.04%
Median: 13.50%
Q1: 8.95%
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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NI

27.71%

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 27.71% places NI 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.

WTRG

38.74%

Water Utilities Industry

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

WTRG’s Operating Profit Margin of 38.74% is around the midpoint for the Water Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NI	WTRG
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.19%	10.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.73%	3.56%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	14.82%	27.62%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	27.71%	38.74%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	40.62%	49.30%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NI

0.59

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s Current Ratio of 0.59 falls into the lower quartile for the Multi-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: 1.40
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.38

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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NI

1.77

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.77 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.

WTRG

1.16

Water Utilities Industry

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

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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NI

3.01

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

WTRG

3.06

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 4.65
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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NI	WTRG
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.59	0.73
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.44	0.53
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.77	1.16
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.01	3.06

Growth

Revenue Growth

NI vs. WTRG: 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

NI vs. WTRG: 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)

NI

2.54%

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s Dividend Yield of 2.54% is in the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

WTRG

3.36%

Water Utilities Industry

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

WTRG’s Dividend Yield of 3.36% is consistent with its peers in the Water Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NI

57.22%

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 57.22% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

WTRG

55.62%

Water Utilities Industry

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

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NI	WTRG
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.54%	3.36%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	57.22%	55.62%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NI

22.57

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 22.57 places NI in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

WTRG

16.57

Water Utilities Industry

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

WTRG’s P/E Ratio of 16.57 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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NI

3.35

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 aligns with the market consensus for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

WTRG

4.58

Water Utilities Industry

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

WTRG’s P/S Ratio of 4.58 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NI

2.14

Multi-Utilities Industry

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

NI’s P/B Ratio of 2.14 is in the upper tier for the Multi-Utilities industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

WTRG

1.55

Water Utilities Industry

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

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NI	WTRG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	22.57	16.57
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.35	4.58
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.14	1.55
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	407.56	369.36