SBS vs. VST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at SBS and VST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
SBS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, VST is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | SBS | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP | Vistra Corp. |
| Country | Brazil | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Water Utilities | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers |
| Market Capitalization | 16.05 billion USD | 69.98 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 10, 2002 | October 5, 2016 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of SBS and VST 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 | SBS | VST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -4.83% | 1.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 9.96% | 4.84% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 18.25% | 90.88% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 40.68% | 57.35% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.57% | 5.43% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 41.03% | 49.82% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.56M | 4.91M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.76M | 4.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.06% | 42.19% |
| Beta | -0.10 | 1.41 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
SBS
29.06%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 13.44%
- Q3
- 13.09%
- Median
- 10.11%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- 4.46%
SBS’s Return on Equity of 29.06% 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.
VST
46.24%
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 25.91%
- Q3
- 13.69%
- Median
- 7.86%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -6.69%
VST’s Return on Equity of 46.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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)
SBS
36.09%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.53%
- Q3
- 21.87%
- Median
- 13.16%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- Min
- -3.68%
SBS’s Net Profit Margin of 36.09% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
VST
14.92%
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 23.58%
- Q3
- 14.30%
- Median
- 8.59%
- Q1
- 5.08%
- Min
- -2.06%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.92% places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
SBS
57.60%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 54.67%
- Q3
- 38.51%
- Median
- 31.40%
- Q1
- 23.53%
- Min
- 7.04%
SBS’s Operating Profit Margin of 57.60% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
VST
22.38%
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 31.45%
- Q3
- 22.28%
- Median
- 16.08%
- Q1
- 11.37%
- Min
- 4.97%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.38% places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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 | SBS | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.06% | 46.24% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.47% | 6.28% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.09% | 14.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 57.60% | 22.38% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.67% | 8.71% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
SBS
1.27
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.94
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.18
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.53
SBS’s Current Ratio of 1.27 aligns with the median group of the Water Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
VST
0.90
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 1.84
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.27
VST’s Current Ratio of 0.90 aligns with the median group of the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
SBS
0.77
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 0.77 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
VST
4.00
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 4.71
- Q3
- 2.80
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.18
VST’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.00. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
VST
5.47
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 10.03
- Q3
- 7.41
- Median
- 2.59
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- -1.62
VST’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | SBS | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.27 | 0.90 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.26 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 4.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 17.26 | 5.47 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
SBS
2.77%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.36%
- Q3
- 5.31%
- Median
- 4.52%
- Q1
- 2.37%
- Min
- 0.00%
SBS’s Dividend Yield of 2.77% is consistent with its peers in the Water Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
VST
0.72%
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 7.43%
- Q3
- 5.56%
- Median
- 3.97%
- Q1
- 2.26%
- Min
- 0.00%
VST’s Dividend Yield of 0.72% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
SBS
28.66%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 324.59%
- Q3
- 277.83%
- Median
- 155.19%
- Q1
- 56.47%
- Min
- 12.69%
SBS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.66% 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.
VST
14.95%
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 113.12%
- Q3
- 82.87%
- Median
- 49.83%
- Q1
- 22.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
VST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.95% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | SBS | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.77% | 0.72% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.66% | 14.95% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
SBS
7.64
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.11
- Q3
- 28.79
- Median
- 20.03
- Q1
- 14.12
- Min
- 8.63
SBS’s P/E Ratio of 7.64 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.
VST
29.07
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 43.87
- Q3
- 23.80
- Median
- 10.75
- Q1
- 8.70
- Min
- 4.34
A P/E Ratio of 29.07 places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
SBS
2.76
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.61
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.97
- Q1
- 2.05
- Min
- 0.95
SBS’s P/S Ratio of 2.76 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.
VST
4.34
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 7.59
- Q3
- 3.75
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.42
VST’s P/S Ratio of 4.34 is in the upper echelon for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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)
SBS
2.01
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 3.24
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.62
SBS’s P/B Ratio of 2.01 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.
VST
13.64
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry
- Max
- 3.43
- Q3
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.33
At 13.64, VST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | SBS | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 7.64 | 29.07 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.76 | 4.34 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.01 | 13.64 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 42.35 | 44.99 |