Global Water Resources (GWRS) vs Middlesex Water (MSEX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Middlesex Water (MSEX) has outperformed Global Water Resources (GWRS) over the past year, losing 5.5% versus a loss of 23.3%. Over five years, MSEX leads with a -49.3% price change compared with -53.4% for GWRS. Middlesex Water is the larger company by market cap ($1.01 billion vs $234.4 million), about 4.3 times the size.
On valuation, Middlesex Water trades at a lower forward P/E (17.9x vs 62.6x for Global Water Resources). Global Water Resources offers the higher dividend yield (3.76% vs 2.66%).
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 | MSEX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $8.14 | $53.43 |
| Market cap | $234.39M | $1.01B |
| 1-day change | -0.25% | +0.66% |
| YTD return | -3.67% | +5.97% |
| 1-year return | -23.28% | -5.52% |
| 5-year return | -53.43% | -49.32% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 81.40 | 20.63 |
| Forward P/E | 62.62 | 17.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.10 | $2.59 |
| Dividend yield | 3.76% | 2.66% |
| Annual dividend | $0.306 | $1.42 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $194.69M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +1.47% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $42.82M |
| Operating margin | — | 27.93% |
| Net margin | — | 21.99% |
| 52-week high | $11.07 | $62.18 |
| 52-week low | $6.55 | $44.17 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.47% | -14.07% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.54% | +14.17% |
| Average volume | 91.99K | 134.96K |
| Shares outstanding | 28.80M | 18.84M |
| Employees | 126 | 395 |
| 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
- Middlesex Water is about 4.3 times larger than Global Water Resources by market value ($1.01B vs $234.39M).
- MSEX has outperformed GWRS by 17.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Global Water Resources trades at a higher earnings multiple (81.4x vs 20.6x trailing P/E).
- Global Water Resources offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.76% vs 2.66%).
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 Middlesex Water
MSEX stock →Middlesex Water Company owns and operates regulated water utility and wastewater systems in the United States. It operates in two segments, Regulated and Non-Regulated.
Utilities · Water Supply · 395 employees
GWRS vs MSEX FAQ
Which is bigger, Global Water Resources or Middlesex Water?
Middlesex Water (MSEX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.01B compared with $234.39M for Global Water Resources (GWRS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GWRS or MSEX?
MSEX returned -5.52% 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 MSEX?
MSEX has the lower trailing P/E at 20.6, 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 Middlesex Water?
Global Water Resources has the higher yield at 3.76%, compared with 2.66% for Middlesex Water.
Are Global Water Resources and Middlesex Water in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.