Global Water Resources (GWRS) vs H2O America (HTO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
H2O America (HTO) has outperformed Global Water Resources (GWRS) over the past year, gaining 20.8% versus a loss of 23.3%. Over five years, HTO leads with a -13.9% price change compared with -53.4% for GWRS. H2O America is the larger company by market cap ($2.45 billion vs $234.4 million), about 10.4 times the size.
On valuation, H2O America trades at a lower forward P/E (21.5x vs 62.6x for Global Water Resources). Global Water Resources offers the higher dividend yield (3.76% vs 2.94%).
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 | GWRS | HTO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $8.14 | $58.48 |
| Market cap | $234.39M | $2.45B |
| 1-day change | -0.25% | +0.71% |
| YTD return | -3.67% | +19.37% |
| 1-year return | -23.28% | +20.83% |
| 5-year return | -53.43% | -13.90% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 81.40 | 20.52 |
| Forward P/E | 62.62 | 21.48 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.10 | $2.85 |
| Dividend yield | 3.76% | 2.94% |
| Annual dividend | $0.306 | $1.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $800.59M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +6.97% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $102.58M |
| Operating margin | — | 22.17% |
| Net margin | — | 12.81% |
| 52-week high | $11.07 | $67.09 |
| 52-week low | $6.55 | $43.75 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.47% | -12.83% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.54% | +14.57% |
| Average volume | 93.04K | 450.41K |
| Shares outstanding | 28.80M | 41.86M |
| Employees | 126 | 837 |
| 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
- H2O America is about 10.4 times larger than Global Water Resources by market value ($2.45B vs $234.39M).
- HTO has outperformed GWRS by 44.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Global Water Resources trades at a higher earnings multiple (81.4x vs 20.5x trailing P/E).
About Global Water Resources
GWRS stock →Global Water Resources, Inc., a water resource management company, owns, operates, and manages regulated water, wastewater, and recycled water systems in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. It serves approximately 121,000 people in approximately 40,000 homes.
Utilities · Water Supply · 126 employees
About H2O America
HTO stock →H2O America, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in the United States. The company engages in production, purchase, storage, purification, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of water and wastewater services; and supplies groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and imported water purchased from Valley Water District.
Utilities · Water Supply · 837 employees
GWRS vs HTO FAQ
Which is bigger, Global Water Resources or H2O America?
H2O America (HTO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.45B compared with $234.39M for Global Water Resources (GWRS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GWRS or HTO?
HTO returned +20.83% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.28% for GWRS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GWRS or HTO?
HTO has the lower trailing P/E at 20.5, versus 81.4 for GWRS. 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, Global Water Resources or H2O America?
Global Water Resources has the higher yield at 3.76%, compared with 2.94% for H2O America.
Are Global Water Resources and H2O America in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.