California Water Service Group (CWT) vs Pure Cycle (PCYO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Pure Cycle (PCYO) has outperformed California Water Service Group (CWT) over the past year, losing 0.8% versus a loss of 2.0%. Over five years, CWT leads with a -25.6% price change compared with -28.2% for PCYO. California Water Service Group is the larger company by market cap ($2.82 billion vs $265.1 million), about 10.6 times the size.
On valuation, California Water Service Group trades at a lower forward P/E (16.6x vs 122.2x for Pure Cycle). California Water Service Group pays a dividend yielding 2.79%, while Pure Cycle does not currently pay one.
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 | CWT | PCYO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $45.60 | $11.00 |
| Market cap | $2.82B | $265.07M |
| 1-day change | +0.44% | +0.36% |
| YTD return | +4.78% | -0.27% |
| 1-year return | -2.05% | -0.81% |
| 5-year return | -25.59% | -28.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.45 | 18.03 |
| Forward P/E | 16.58 | 122.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.23 | $0.61 |
| Dividend yield | 2.79% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.27 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $963.70M | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.41% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $128.21M | — |
| Operating margin | 17.68% | — |
| Net margin | 13.30% | — |
| 52-week high | $53.82 | $12.44 |
| 52-week low | $41.29 | $9.71 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.27% | -11.58% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.87% | — |
| Average volume | 479.24K | 79.20K |
| Shares outstanding | 61.84M | 24.10M |
| Employees | 1,336 | 44 |
| 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
- California Water Service Group is about 10.6 times larger than Pure Cycle by market value ($2.82B vs $265.07M).
- California Water Service Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.79% vs 0.00%).
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
About Pure Cycle
PCYO stock →Pure Cycle Corporation provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It operates in three segments: Water and Wastewater Resource Development, Land Development, and Single-Family Rental.
Utilities · Water Supply · 44 employees
CWT vs PCYO FAQ
Which is bigger, California Water Service Group or Pure Cycle?
California Water Service Group (CWT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.82B compared with $265.07M for Pure Cycle (PCYO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CWT or PCYO?
PCYO returned -0.81% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.05% for CWT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CWT or PCYO?
PCYO has the lower trailing P/E at 18.0, versus 20.4 for CWT. 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, California Water Service Group or Pure Cycle?
California Water Service Group pays a dividend yielding 2.79%, while Pure Cycle does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are California Water Service Group and Pure Cycle in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.