American Water Works (AWK) vs California Water Service Group (CWT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
California Water Service Group (CWT) has outperformed American Water Works (AWK) over the past year, losing 2.0% versus a loss of 10.6%. Over five years, CWT leads with a -25.6% price change compared with -25.7% for AWK. American Water Works is the larger company by market cap ($25.31 billion vs $2.81 billion), about 9.0 times the size.
On valuation, California Water Service Group trades at a lower forward P/E (16.5x vs 19.4x for American Water Works). California Water Service Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.80% vs 2.65%).
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 | AWK | CWT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $127.38 | $45.40 |
| Market cap | $25.31B | $2.81B |
| 1-day change | -0.52% | -0.33% |
| YTD return | -2.39% | +4.78% |
| 1-year return | -10.62% | -2.05% |
| 5-year return | -25.69% | -25.59% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.08 | 20.36 |
| Forward P/E | 19.40 | 16.51 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.77 | $2.23 |
| Dividend yield | 2.65% | 2.80% |
| Annual dividend | $3.38 | $1.27 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.12B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.06% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.11B | — |
| Operating margin | 36.69% | — |
| Net margin | 21.69% | — |
| 52-week high | $145.64 | $53.82 |
| 52-week low | $120.57 | $41.29 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.54% | -15.64% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.05% | +18.39% |
| Average volume | 2.07M | 480.32K |
| Shares outstanding | 198.73M | 61.84M |
| Employees | 7,000 | 1,336 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Water Supply | Water Supply |
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
- American Water Works is about 9.0 times larger than California Water Service Group by market value ($25.31B vs $2.81B).
About American Water Works
AWK stock →American Water Works Company, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It offers water and wastewater services on military installations; and undertakes contracts with municipal customers, primarily to operate and manage water and wastewater facilities, as well as offers other related services.
Utilities · Water Supply · 7,000 employees
About California Water Service Group
CWT stock →California Water Service Group, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas. It is involved in the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution, and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public, and irrigation uses, as well as for fire protection services.
Utilities · Water Supply · 1,336 employees
AWK vs CWT FAQ
Which is bigger, American Water Works or California Water Service Group?
American Water Works (AWK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.31B compared with $2.81B for California Water Service Group (CWT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AWK or CWT?
CWT returned -2.05% over the past 12 months, compared with -10.62% for AWK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AWK or CWT?
CWT has the lower trailing P/E at 20.4, versus 22.1 for AWK. 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, American Water Works or California Water Service Group?
California Water Service Group has the higher yield at 2.80%, compared with 2.65% for American Water Works.
Are American Water Works and California Water Service Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.