Consolidated Water (CWCO) vs Essential Utilities (WTRG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Essential Utilities (WTRG) has outperformed Consolidated Water (CWCO) over the past year, losing 5.7% versus a loss of 9.5%. Over five years, CWCO leads with a +169.1% price change compared with -18.4% for WTRG. Essential Utilities is the larger company by market cap ($10.98 billion vs $485.6 million), about 22.6 times the size.
On valuation, Essential Utilities trades at a lower forward P/E (16.3x vs 22.3x for Consolidated Water). Essential Utilities offers the higher dividend yield (3.54% vs 1.85%).
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 | CWCO | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $30.33 | $38.72 |
| Market cap | $485.59M | $10.98B |
| 1-day change | +0.25% | +0.49% |
| YTD return | -14.07% | +0.94% |
| 1-year return | -9.48% | -5.65% |
| 5-year return | +169.13% | -18.45% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.73 | 19.76 |
| Forward P/E | 22.30 | 16.27 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.02 | $1.96 |
| Dividend yield | 1.85% | 3.54% |
| Annual dividend | $0.56 | $1.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $2.47B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +18.62% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $616.37M |
| Operating margin | — | 37.22% |
| Net margin | — | 24.91% |
| 52-week high | $39.12 | $42.51 |
| 52-week low | $27.23 | $36.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.48% | -8.92% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +41.80% | +8.99% |
| Average volume | 90.04K | 2.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 16.01M | 283.63M |
| Employees | 293 | 3,303 |
| 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
- Essential Utilities is about 22.6 times larger than Consolidated Water by market value ($10.98B vs $485.59M).
- Consolidated Water trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.7x vs 19.8x trailing P/E).
- Essential Utilities offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.54% vs 1.85%).
About Consolidated Water
CWCO stock →Consolidated Water Co. Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, supplies potable water, treats wastewater and water for reuse, and provides water-related products and services in the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, the United States, and the British Virgin Islands.
Utilities · Water Supply · 293 employees
About Essential Utilities
WTRG stock →Essential Utilities, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, and natural gas services in the United States. The company operates through Regulated Water; and Regulated Natural Gas segments.
Utilities · Water Supply · 3,303 employees
CWCO vs WTRG FAQ
Which is bigger, Consolidated Water or Essential Utilities?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.98B compared with $485.59M for Consolidated Water (CWCO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CWCO or WTRG?
WTRG returned -5.65% over the past 12 months, compared with -9.48% for CWCO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CWCO or WTRG?
WTRG has the lower trailing P/E at 19.8, versus 29.7 for CWCO. 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, Consolidated Water or Essential Utilities?
Essential Utilities has the higher yield at 3.54%, compared with 1.85% for Consolidated Water.
Are Consolidated Water and Essential Utilities in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.