Essential Utilities (WTRG) vs York Water (YORW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
York Water (YORW) has outperformed Essential Utilities (WTRG) over the past year, gaining 1.0% versus a loss of 5.7%. Over five years, WTRG leads with a -18.4% price change compared with -32.9% for YORW. Essential Utilities is the larger company by market cap ($11.06 billion vs $504.1 million), about 21.9 times the size.
On valuation, Essential Utilities trades at a lower forward P/E (16.4x vs 20.3x for York Water). Essential Utilities offers the higher dividend yield (3.51% vs 2.91%).
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 | WTRG | YORW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.98 | $31.06 |
| Market cap | $11.06B | $504.06M |
| 1-day change | +0.67% | +0.29% |
| YTD return | +0.94% | -2.73% |
| 1-year return | -5.65% | +0.98% |
| 5-year return | -18.45% | -32.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.89 | 19.29 |
| Forward P/E | 16.38 | 20.30 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.96 | $1.61 |
| Dividend yield | 3.51% | 2.91% |
| Annual dividend | $1.37 | $0.903 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.47B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.62% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $616.37M | — |
| Operating margin | 37.22% | — |
| Net margin | 24.91% | — |
| 52-week high | $42.51 | $34.81 |
| 52-week low | $36.11 | $28.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.30% | -10.77% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +8.26% | -0.19% |
| Average volume | 2.27M | 136.52K |
| Shares outstanding | 283.63M | 16.23M |
| Employees | 3,303 | 129 |
| 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 21.9 times larger than York Water by market value ($11.06B vs $504.06M).
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
About York Water
YORW stock →The York Water Company impounds, purifies, and distributes drinking water. It owns and operates three wastewater collection systems; twelve wastewater collection and treatment systems; and two reservoirs, including Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which hold approximately 2.5 billion gallons of water.
Utilities · Water Supply · 129 employees
WTRG vs YORW FAQ
Which is bigger, Essential Utilities or York Water?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.06B compared with $504.06M for York Water (YORW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, WTRG or YORW?
YORW returned +0.98% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.65% for WTRG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, WTRG or YORW?
YORW has the lower trailing P/E at 19.3, versus 19.9 for WTRG. 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, Essential Utilities or York Water?
Essential Utilities has the higher yield at 3.51%, compared with 2.91% for York Water.
Are Essential Utilities and York Water in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.