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

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

Company Profile

SymbolVSTWTRG
Company NameVistra Corp.Essential Utilities, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorUtilitiesUtilities
GICS IndustryIndependent Power and Renewable Electricity ProducersWater Utilities
Market Capitalization64.40 billion USD11.11 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateOctober 5, 2016March 17, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolVSTWTRG
5-Day Price Return-1.78%-0.28%
13-Week Price Return22.85%1.37%
26-Week Price Return12.24%10.05%
52-Week Price Return128.19%0.13%
Month-to-Date Return-8.85%6.22%
Year-to-Date Return37.87%7.63%
10-Day Avg. Volume3.59M1.69M
3-Month Avg. Volume5.32M1.72M
3-Month Volatility39.02%17.19%
Beta1.360.82

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

VST

46.24%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
30.49%
Q3
14.63%
Median
7.41%
Q1
3.67%
Min
-8.17%

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
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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

VST

14.92%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
32.12%
Q3
16.71%
Median
10.67%
Q1
5.10%
Min
-6.37%

VST’s Net Profit Margin of 14.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

VST

22.38%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
42.59%
Q3
29.96%
Median
18.17%
Q1
12.79%
Min
4.70%

VST’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.38% is around the midpoint for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolVSTWTRG
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
1.74
Q3
1.21
Median
0.86
Q1
0.62
Min
0.25

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
1.40
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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

VST

4.00

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
3.93
Q3
2.66
Median
1.75
Q1
1.05
Min
0.22

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.00, VST operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

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
4.65
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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolVSTWTRG
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.900.73
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.730.53
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)4.001.16
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)5.473.06

Growth

Revenue Growth

VST 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

VST 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)

VST

0.77%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
8.02%
Q3
5.65%
Median
4.08%
Q1
2.47%
Min
0.00%

VST’s Dividend Yield of 0.77% 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

3.36%

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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

VST

14.95%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
125.56%
Q3
90.24%
Median
50.41%
Q1
17.76%
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
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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolVSTWTRG
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.77%3.36%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)14.95%55.62%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

VST

27.39

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
51.94
Q3
27.00
Median
10.10
Q1
7.02
Min
4.18

A P/E Ratio of 27.39 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

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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

VST

4.09

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
6.94
Q3
3.56
Median
2.46
Q1
0.86
Min
0.39

VST’s P/S Ratio of 4.09 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

4.58

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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

VST

13.64

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max
3.49
Q3
1.92
Median
1.33
Q1
0.81
Min
0.35

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
1.73
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.

VST vs. WTRG: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolVSTWTRG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)27.3916.57
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)4.094.58
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)13.641.55
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)42.40369.36