H2O America (HTO) 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
H2O America (HTO) has outperformed Essential Utilities (WTRG) over the past year, gaining 20.8% versus a loss of 3.7%. Over five years, HTO leads with a -13.9% price change compared with -17.9% for WTRG. Essential Utilities is the larger company by market cap ($11.06 billion vs $2.45 billion), about 4.5 times the size.
On valuation, Essential Utilities trades at a lower forward P/E (16.4x vs 21.5x for H2O America). Essential Utilities offers the higher dividend yield (3.51% vs 2.94%). Essential Utilities converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 24.9% versus 12.8%.
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 | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $58.48 | $38.98 |
| Market cap | $2.45B | $11.06B |
| 1-day change | +0.71% | +0.67% |
| YTD return | +19.37% | +1.62% |
| 1-year return | +20.83% | -3.68% |
| 5-year return | -13.90% | -17.90% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.52 | 19.79 |
| Forward P/E | 21.48 | 16.38 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.85 | $1.97 |
| Dividend yield | 2.94% | 3.51% |
| Annual dividend | $1.72 | $1.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $800.59M | $2.47B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.97% | +18.62% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $102.58M | $616.37M |
| Operating margin | 22.17% | 37.22% |
| Net margin | 12.81% | 24.91% |
| 52-week high | $67.09 | $42.51 |
| 52-week low | $43.75 | $36.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.83% | -8.30% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.57% | +8.26% |
| Average volume | 450.41K | 2.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 41.86M | 283.63M |
| Employees | 837 | 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 4.5 times larger than H2O America by market value ($11.06B vs $2.45B).
- HTO has outperformed WTRG by 24.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Essential Utilities is more profitable, keeping 24.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.8 cents for H2O America.
- Essential Utilities grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.62% vs +6.97%).
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 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
HTO vs WTRG FAQ
Which is bigger, H2O America or Essential Utilities?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.06B compared with $2.45B for H2O America (HTO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HTO or WTRG?
HTO returned +20.83% 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, HTO or WTRG?
WTRG has the lower trailing P/E at 19.8, 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 Essential Utilities?
Essential Utilities has the higher yield at 3.51%, compared with 2.94% for H2O America.
Are H2O America and Essential Utilities in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.