Global Water Resources (GWRS) vs Pure Cycle (PCYO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Pure Cycle (PCYO) has outperformed Global Water Resources (GWRS) over the past year, losing 1.2% versus a loss of 23.3%. Over five years, PCYO leads with a -27.9% price change compared with -53.4% for GWRS. Pure Cycle is the larger company by market cap ($267.7 million vs $234.4 million), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Global Water Resources trades at a lower forward P/E (62.6x vs 123.4x for Pure Cycle). Global Water Resources pays a dividend yielding 3.76%, 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 | GWRS | PCYO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $8.14 | $11.11 |
| Market cap | $234.39M | $267.72M |
| 1-day change | -0.25% | +1.00% |
| YTD return | -3.67% | +0.09% |
| 1-year return | -23.28% | -1.17% |
| 5-year return | -53.43% | -27.92% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 81.40 | 18.21 |
| Forward P/E | 62.62 | 123.44 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.10 | $0.61 |
| Dividend yield | 3.76% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.306 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $11.07 | $12.44 |
| 52-week low | $6.55 | $9.71 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.47% | -10.69% |
| Analyst consensus | none | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.54% | — |
| Average volume | 92.63K | 78.20K |
| Shares outstanding | 28.80M | 24.10M |
| Employees | 126 | 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
- PCYO has outperformed GWRS by 22.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Global Water Resources trades at a higher earnings multiple (81.4x vs 18.2x trailing P/E).
- Global Water Resources offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.76% vs 0.00%).
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 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
GWRS vs PCYO FAQ
Which is bigger, Global Water Resources or Pure Cycle?
Pure Cycle (PCYO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $267.72M compared with $234.39M for Global Water Resources (GWRS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GWRS or PCYO?
PCYO returned -1.17% 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 PCYO?
PCYO has the lower trailing P/E at 18.2, 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 Pure Cycle?
Global Water Resources pays a dividend yielding 3.76%, while Pure Cycle does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Global Water Resources and Pure Cycle in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.