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

Updated on August 26, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	SMR	WTRG
Company Name	NuScale Power Corporation	Essential Utilities, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Utilities
GICS Industry	Electrical Equipment	Water Utilities
Market Capitalization	4.81 billion USD	11.11 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	March 1, 2022	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of SMR 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	SMR	WTRG
5-Day Price Return	9.95%	-0.28%
13-Week Price Return	41.79%	1.37%
26-Week Price Return	69.90%	10.05%
52-Week Price Return	347.07%	0.13%
Month-to-Date Return	-28.50%	6.22%
Year-to-Date Return	100.22%	7.63%
10-Day Avg. Volume	10.82M	1.69M
3-Month Avg. Volume	12.73M	1.72M
3-Month Volatility	108.43%	17.19%
Beta	2.07	0.82

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

SMR

-22.81%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 37.56%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 14.38%
Q1: 4.35%
Min: 0.90%

SMR has a negative Return on Equity of -22.81%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

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.

SMR vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

SMR

-221.07%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 20.43%
Q3: 10.97%
Median: 6.07%
Q1: 3.16%
Min: 0.29%

SMR has a negative Net Profit Margin of -221.07%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

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.

SMR vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

SMR

-233.90%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 26.20%
Q3: 14.31%
Median: 7.54%
Q1: 3.77%
Min: -5.64%

SMR has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -233.90%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

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.

SMR vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	SMR	WTRG
Return on Equity (TTM)	-22.81%	10.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-24.54%	3.56%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-221.07%	27.62%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-233.90%	38.74%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	71.50%	49.30%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

SMR

4.22

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 3.02
Q3: 1.99
Median: 1.41
Q1: 1.07
Min: 0.80

SMR’s Current Ratio of 4.22 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Electrical Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

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.

SMR vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

SMR

0.00

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.99
Median: 0.56
Q1: 0.24
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, SMR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

SMR

-58.59

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 36.12
Q3: 19.29
Median: 9.38
Q1: 1.16
Min: -10.92

SMR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -58.59. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

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.

SMR vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	SMR	WTRG
Current Ratio (MRQ)	4.22	0.73
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	4.18	0.53
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.00	1.16
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-58.59	3.06

Growth

Revenue Growth

SMR 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

SMR 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)

SMR

0.00%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 2.20%
Q3: 1.53%
Median: 1.01%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

SMR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

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.

SMR vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

SMR

0.00%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 119.44%
Q3: 51.87%
Median: 27.71%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

SMR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

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.

SMR vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	SMR	WTRG
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	3.36%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	55.62%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

SMR

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 81.85
Q3: 44.17
Median: 27.61
Q1: 18.62
Min: 7.73

P/E Ratio data for SMR is currently unavailable.

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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

SMR

171.50

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 8.18
Q3: 4.02
Median: 1.84
Q1: 0.97
Min: 0.44

With a P/S Ratio of 171.50, SMR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Electrical Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

SMR

16.24

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 8.50
Q3: 4.53
Median: 3.39
Q1: 1.70
Min: 0.51

At 16.24, SMR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electrical Equipment 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.

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	SMR	WTRG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	16.57
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	171.50	4.58
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	16.24	1.55
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	--	369.36