H2O America (HTO) 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
H2O America (HTO) has outperformed Pure Cycle (PCYO) over the past year, gaining 20.8% versus a gain of 1.1%. Over five years, HTO leads with a -13.9% price change compared with -27.2% for PCYO. H2O America is the larger company by market cap ($2.45 billion vs $267.7 million), about 9.1 times the size.
On valuation, H2O America trades at a lower forward P/E (21.5x vs 123.4x for Pure Cycle). H2O America pays a dividend yielding 2.94%, 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 | HTO | PCYO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $58.48 | $11.11 |
| Market cap | $2.45B | $267.72M |
| 1-day change | +0.71% | +1.00% |
| YTD return | +19.37% | +1.09% |
| 1-year return | +20.83% | +1.09% |
| 5-year return | -13.90% | -27.20% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.52 | 17.92 |
| Forward P/E | 21.48 | 123.44 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.85 | $0.62 |
| Dividend yield | 2.94% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.72 | $0.00 |
| 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 | $67.09 | $12.44 |
| 52-week low | $43.75 | $9.71 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.83% | -10.69% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.57% | — |
| Average volume | 450.41K | 78.20K |
| Shares outstanding | 41.86M | 24.10M |
| Employees | 837 | 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
- H2O America is about 9.1 times larger than Pure Cycle by market value ($2.45B vs $267.72M).
- HTO has outperformed PCYO by 19.7 percentage points over the past year.
- H2O America offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.94% vs 0.00%).
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
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
HTO vs PCYO FAQ
Which is bigger, H2O America or Pure Cycle?
H2O America (HTO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.45B compared with $267.72M for Pure Cycle (PCYO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HTO or PCYO?
HTO returned +20.83% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.09% for PCYO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HTO or PCYO?
PCYO has the lower trailing P/E at 17.9, versus 20.5 for HTO. 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, H2O America or Pure Cycle?
H2O America pays a dividend yielding 2.94%, while Pure Cycle does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are H2O America and Pure Cycle in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.