California Water Service Group (CWT) vs Essential Utilities (WTRG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
California Water Service Group (CWT) has outperformed Essential Utilities (WTRG) over the past year, losing 1.8% versus a loss of 3.7%. Over five years, WTRG leads with a -17.9% price change compared with -25.3% for CWT. Essential Utilities is the larger company by market cap ($11.06 billion vs $2.84 billion), about 3.9 times the size.
On valuation, Essential Utilities trades at a lower forward P/E (16.4x vs 16.7x for California Water Service Group). Essential Utilities offers the higher dividend yield (3.51% vs 2.76%). Essential Utilities converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 24.9% versus 13.3%.
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 | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $45.94 | $38.98 |
| Market cap | $2.84B | $11.06B |
| 1-day change | +0.75% | +0.67% |
| YTD return | +6.02% | +1.62% |
| 1-year return | -1.75% | -3.68% |
| 5-year return | -25.26% | -17.90% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.60 | 19.89 |
| Forward P/E | 16.71 | 16.38 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.23 | $1.96 |
| Dividend yield | 2.76% | 3.51% |
| Annual dividend | $1.27 | $1.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $963.70M | $2.47B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.41% | +18.62% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $128.21M | $616.37M |
| Operating margin | 17.68% | 37.22% |
| Net margin | 13.30% | 24.91% |
| 52-week high | $53.82 | $42.51 |
| 52-week low | $41.29 | $36.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.64% | -8.30% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.00% | +8.26% |
| Average volume | 483.31K | 2.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 61.84M | 283.63M |
| Employees | 1,336 | 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 3.9 times larger than California Water Service Group by market value ($11.06B vs $2.84B).
- Essential Utilities is more profitable, keeping 24.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 13.3 cents for California Water Service Group.
- Essential Utilities grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.62% vs +6.41%).
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 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
CWT vs WTRG FAQ
Which is bigger, California Water Service Group or Essential Utilities?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.06B compared with $2.84B for California Water Service Group (CWT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CWT or WTRG?
CWT returned -1.75% over the past 12 months, compared with -3.68% for WTRG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CWT or WTRG?
WTRG has the lower trailing P/E at 19.9, versus 20.6 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 Essential Utilities?
Essential Utilities has the higher yield at 3.51%, compared with 2.76% for California Water Service Group.
Are California Water Service Group and Essential Utilities in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.