VST vs. WTRG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at VST and WTRG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | VST | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Vistra Corp. | Essential Utilities, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers | Water Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 69.98 billion USD | 11.51 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 5, 2016 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of VST 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | VST | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.92% | 6.40% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.84% | 9.88% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 90.88% | 0.98% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 57.35% | 7.35% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.43% | 2.86% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 49.82% | 13.00% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.91M | 1.76M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.83M | 1.93M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 42.19% | 18.75% |
| Beta | 1.41 | 0.82 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
WTRG
10.11%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 13.44%
- Q3
- 13.09%
- Median
- 10.11%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- 4.46%
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WTRG
27.62%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.53%
- Q3
- 21.87%
- Median
- 13.16%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WTRG
38.74%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 54.67%
- Q3
- 38.51%
- Median
- 31.40%
- Q1
- 23.53%
- Min
- 7.04%
An Operating Profit Margin of 38.74% places WTRG 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | VST | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 46.24% | 10.11% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.28% | 3.56% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.92% | 27.62% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.38% | 38.74% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.71% | 49.30% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WTRG
0.73
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.94
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.18
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.53
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WTRG
1.16
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.48
- Q3
- 4.27
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.51
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
WTRG
3.06
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 4.78
- 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | VST | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.90 | 0.73 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.53 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 4.00 | 1.16 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.47 | 3.06 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
WTRG
3.12%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.36%
- Q3
- 5.31%
- Median
- 4.52%
- Q1
- 2.37%
- Min
- 0.00%
WTRG’s Dividend Yield of 3.12% is consistent with its peers in the Water Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
WTRG
55.62%
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 324.59%
- Q3
- 277.83%
- Median
- 155.19%
- Q1
- 56.47%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | VST | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.72% | 3.12% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 14.95% | 55.62% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
WTRG
17.81
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.11
- Q3
- 28.79
- Median
- 20.03
- Q1
- 14.12
- Min
- 8.63
WTRG’s P/E Ratio of 17.81 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
WTRG
4.92
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.61
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.97
- Q1
- 2.05
- Min
- 0.95
WTRG’s P/S Ratio of 4.92 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WTRG
1.55
Water Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 3.24
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.62
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | VST | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.07 | 17.81 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.34 | 4.92 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.64 | 1.55 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 44.99 | 396.97 |