Avista (AVA) vs UNITIL (UTL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
UNITIL (UTL) has outperformed Avista (AVA) over the past year, gaining 9.2% versus a loss of 5.8%. Over five years, UTL leads with a +17.9% price change compared with -13.7% for AVA. Avista is the larger company by market cap ($2.97 billion vs $955.2 million), about 3.1 times the size.
On valuation, Avista trades at a lower forward P/E (12.7x vs 14.9x for UNITIL). Avista offers the higher dividend yield (5.54% vs 3.53%).
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 | UTL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $35.48 | $52.38 |
| Market cap | $2.97B | $955.24M |
| 1-day change | +0.71% | +1.18% |
| YTD return | -8.59% | +6.87% |
| 1-year return | -5.75% | +9.24% |
| 5-year return | -13.74% | +17.87% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.81 | 16.52 |
| Forward P/E | 12.72 | 14.92 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.77 | $3.17 |
| Dividend yield | 5.54% | 3.53% |
| Annual dividend | $1.97 | $1.85 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.96B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.34% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $193.00M | — |
| Operating margin | 18.02% | — |
| Net margin | 9.83% | — |
| 52-week high | $43.50 | $57.26 |
| 52-week low | $34.46 | $46.91 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.44% | -8.52% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.49% | +3.09% |
| Average volume | 660.63K | 126.87K |
| Shares outstanding | 83.75M | 18.24M |
| Employees | — | 614 |
| 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
- Avista is about 3.1 times larger than UNITIL by market value ($2.97B vs $955.24M).
- UTL has outperformed AVA by 15.0 percentage points over the past year.
- UNITIL trades at a higher earnings multiple (16.5x vs 12.8x trailing P/E).
- Avista offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.54% vs 3.53%).
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 UNITIL
UTL stock →Unitil Corporation, a public utility holding company, engages in the distribution of electricity and natural gas. It operates through two segments, Utility Electric Operations and Utility Gas Operations.
Utilities · Power Generation · 614 employees
AVA vs UTL FAQ
Which is bigger, Avista or UNITIL?
Avista (AVA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.97B compared with $955.24M for UNITIL (UTL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AVA or UTL?
UTL returned +9.24% 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 UTL?
AVA has the lower trailing P/E at 12.8, versus 16.5 for UTL. 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 UNITIL?
Avista has the higher yield at 5.54%, compared with 3.53% for UNITIL.
Are Avista and UNITIL in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Power Generation industry within the Utilities sector.