NWE vs. SRE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at NWE and SRE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | NWE | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. | Sempra |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Multi-Utilities | Multi-Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 3.55 billion USD | 53.30 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 28, 2007 | June 29, 1998 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NWE and SRE 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 | NWE | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.01% | -1.16% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 5.72% | 6.44% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 8.66% | -4.28% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 8.44% | 0.47% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 7.67% | 0.01% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.16% | -6.87% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.67M | 2.89M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.47M | 3.69M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.45% | 19.38% |
| Beta | 0.41 | 0.66 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
NWE
7.88%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 19.69%
- Q3
- 12.97%
- Median
- 9.30%
- Q1
- 7.88%
- Min
- 4.34%
NWE’s Return on Equity of 7.88% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
SRE
8.73%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 19.69%
- Q3
- 12.97%
- Median
- 9.30%
- Q1
- 7.88%
- Min
- 4.34%
SRE’s Return on Equity of 8.73% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
NWE
14.76%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.37%
- Q3
- 15.24%
- Median
- 8.50%
- Q1
- 4.09%
- Min
- -1.05%
NWE’s Net Profit Margin of 14.76% 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.
SRE
23.49%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.37%
- Q3
- 15.24%
- Median
- 8.50%
- Q1
- 4.09%
- Min
- -1.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 23.49% places SRE in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
NWE
22.44%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 43.73%
- Q3
- 25.91%
- Median
- 19.49%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -0.18%
NWE’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.44% is around the midpoint for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
SRE
26.26%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 43.73%
- Q3
- 25.91%
- Median
- 19.49%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -0.18%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.26% places SRE 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NWE | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 7.88% | 8.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.81% | 2.79% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.76% | 23.49% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.44% | 26.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 53.09% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
NWE
0.75
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.50
NWE’s Current Ratio of 0.75 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.
SRE
0.48
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.50
SRE’s Current Ratio of 0.48 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
NWE
1.11
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.58
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.53
Falling into the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, NWE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.11 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
SRE
1.22
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.58
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.53
SRE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.22 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
NWE
2.63
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 12.21
- Q3
- 7.03
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.92
- Min
- 1.62
In the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, NWE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.63 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
SRE
3.18
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 12.21
- Q3
- 7.03
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.92
- Min
- 1.62
SRE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.18 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NWE | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.75 | 0.48 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.52 | 0.39 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.11 | 1.22 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.63 | 3.18 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
NWE
4.53%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 8.75%
- Q3
- 5.46%
- Median
- 4.09%
- Q1
- 2.93%
- Min
- 0.00%
NWE’s Dividend Yield of 4.53% is consistent with its peers in the Multi-Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SRE
2.93%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 8.75%
- Q3
- 5.46%
- Median
- 4.09%
- Q1
- 2.93%
- Min
- 0.00%
SRE’s Dividend Yield of 2.93% is consistent with its peers in the Multi-Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
NWE
70.93%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 128.77%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 66.46%
- Q1
- 52.95%
- Min
- 24.73%
NWE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 70.93% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
SRE
58.53%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 128.77%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 66.46%
- Q1
- 52.95%
- Min
- 24.73%
SRE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.53% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NWE | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.53% | 2.93% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 70.93% | 58.53% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
NWE
15.65
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 28.21
- Q3
- 21.40
- Median
- 16.89
- Q1
- 11.54
- Min
- 5.08
NWE’s P/E Ratio of 15.65 is within the middle range for the Multi-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.
SRE
19.98
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 28.21
- Q3
- 21.40
- Median
- 16.89
- Q1
- 11.54
- Min
- 5.08
SRE’s P/E Ratio of 19.98 is within the middle range for the Multi-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)
NWE
2.31
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 3.52
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.27
NWE’s P/S Ratio of 2.31 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.
SRE
4.70
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 3.52
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.27
With a P/S Ratio of 4.70, SRE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Multi-Utilities industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
NWE
1.09
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.70
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.86
NWE’s P/B Ratio of 1.09 is in the lower quartile for the Multi-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.
SRE
1.56
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.70
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.86
SRE’s P/B Ratio of 1.56 is within the conventional range for the Multi-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 | NWE | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 15.65 | 19.98 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.31 | 4.70 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.09 | 1.56 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 57.62 | 337.00 |