Avista (AVA) vs NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE) has outperformed Avista (AVA) over the past year, gaining 25.6% versus a loss of 5.8%. Over five years, NWE leads with a +29.4% price change compared with -13.7% for AVA. NorthWestern Energy Group is the larger company by market cap ($4.55 billion vs $2.95 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, Avista trades at a lower forward P/E (12.6x vs 18.7x for NorthWestern Energy Group). Avista offers the higher dividend yield (5.58% vs 3.60%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AVA | NWE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $35.23 | $73.97 |
| Market cap | $2.95B | $4.55B |
| 1-day change | +0.11% | +7.33% |
| YTD return | -8.59% | +14.61% |
| 1-year return | -5.75% | +25.61% |
| 5-year return | -13.74% | +29.41% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.72 | 26.70 |
| Forward P/E | 12.63 | 18.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.77 | $2.77 |
| Dividend yield | 5.58% | 3.60% |
| Annual dividend | $1.97 | $2.66 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.61B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +6.38% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $181.09M |
| Operating margin | — | 20.23% |
| Net margin | — | 11.24% |
| 52-week high | $43.50 | $76.00 |
| 52-week low | $34.46 | $57.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.01% | -2.67% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.31% | -1.65% |
| Average volume | 655.25K | 411.92K |
| Shares outstanding | 83.75M | 61.52M |
| Employees | — | 1,667 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Power Generation | Power Generation |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- NWE has outperformed AVA by 31.4 percentage points over the past year.
- NorthWestern Energy Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.7x vs 12.7x trailing P/E).
- Avista offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.58% vs 3.60%).
About Avista
AVA stock →Avista Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Avista Utilities and Alaska Electric Light and Power Company (AEL&P).
Utilities · Power Generation
About NorthWestern Energy Group
NWE stock →NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and diversified industrial customers. It generates, purchases, transmits, and distributes electricity; and produces, purchases, stores, transmits, and distributes natural gas, as well as owns municipal franchises to provide natural gas service in the communities.
Utilities · Power Generation · 1,667 employees
AVA vs NWE FAQ
Which is bigger, Avista or NorthWestern Energy Group?
NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.55B compared with $2.95B for Avista (AVA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AVA or NWE?
NWE returned +25.61% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.75% for AVA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AVA or NWE?
AVA has the lower trailing P/E at 12.7, versus 26.7 for NWE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Avista or NorthWestern Energy Group?
Avista has the higher yield at 5.58%, compared with 3.60% for NorthWestern Energy Group.
Are Avista and NorthWestern Energy Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Power Generation industry within the Utilities sector.