AWK vs. MA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AWK (American Water Works Company, Inc.) and MA (Mastercard Incorporated) are both stocks. AWK operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities), while MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services). Over the past 10 years, AWK returned 7.02%/yr vs 18.64%/yr for MA. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AWK vs. MA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AWK achieves a -1.86% return, which is significantly higher than MA's -13.89% return. Over the past 10 years, AWK has underperformed MA with an annualized return of 7.02%, while MA has yielded a comparatively higher 18.64% annualized return.

AWK

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: -0.83%
• YTD: -1.86%
• 6M: -2.64%
• 1Y: -8.27%
• 3Y*: -2.50%
• 5Y*: -2.65%
• 10Y*: 7.02%

MA

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: -13.89%
• 6M: -14.05%
• 1Y: -16.36%
• 3Y*: 10.32%
• 5Y*: 6.66%
• 10Y*: 18.64%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AWK vs. MA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	-1.86%	7.40%	-3.53%	-11.68%	-17.89%	24.83%	26.88%	37.79%	1.32%	29.01%
MA Mastercard Incorporated	-13.89%	9.04%	24.17%	23.40%	-2.66%	1.16%	20.19%	59.16%	25.31%	47.69%

Correlation

The correlation between AWK and MA is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2008	0.28

Over the past year, the correlation between AWK and MA has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.28, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Fundamentals

Market Cap AWK : $24.63B MA : $437.55B
EPS AWK : $5.65 MA : $17.28
PE Ratio AWK : 22.35 MA : 28.36
PS Ratio AWK : 4.73 MA : 13.01
PB Ratio AWK : 2.23 MA : 65.09
Total Revenue (TTM) AWK : $5.21B MA : $33.94B
Gross Profit (TTM) AWK : $2.27B MA : $26.70B
EBITDA (TTM) AWK : $2.48B MA : $21.23B

Return for Risk

AWK vs. MA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AWK

AWK Risk / Return Rank: 24
AWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
AWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
AWK Omega Ratio Rank: 24
AWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
AWK Martin Ratio Rank: 23

MA

MA Risk / Return Rank: 11
MA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
MA Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
MA Omega Ratio Rank: 14
MA Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
MA Martin Ratio Rank: 5

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AWK vs. MA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AWK	MA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.38	-0.74	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.42	-0.91	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	0.89	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.54	-0.79	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.99	-1.59	+0.60

AWK vs. MA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWK Sharpe Ratio is -0.38, which is higher than the MA Sharpe Ratio of -0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWK and MA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AWK vs. MA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWK drawdown since its inception was -37.10%, smaller than the maximum MA drawdown of -62.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWK and MA.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWK	MA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.10%	-62.67%	+25.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.45%	-20.91%	+5.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.33%	-20.91%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.10%	-28.25%	-8.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.10%	-41.00%	+3.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.26%	-17.82%	-8.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.51%	-9.82%	+0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.38%	10.48%	-2.10%

Volatility

AWK vs. MA - Volatility Comparison

American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA) have volatilities of 6.28% and 6.46%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWK	MA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.28%	6.46%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.71%	17.51%	-1.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.59%	22.34%	-0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.93%	24.01%	-1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.72%	26.92%	-3.20%

Dividends

AWK vs. MA - Dividend Comparison

AWK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, more than MA's 0.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	2.67%	2.49%	2.41%	2.10%	1.68%	1.25%	1.40%	1.59%	1.96%	1.77%	2.02%	2.23%
MA Mastercard Incorporated	0.67%	0.53%	0.50%	0.53%	0.56%	0.49%	0.45%	0.44%	0.53%	0.58%	0.74%	0.66%

Financials

AWK vs. MA - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between American Water Works Company, Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

AWK - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported a gross profit of 714.00M and revenue of 1.21B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 59.2%.

MA - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a gross profit of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 58.4%.

AWK - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported an operating income of 391.00M and revenue of 1.21B, resulting in an operating margin of 32.4%.

MA - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported an operating income of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 58.4%.

AWK - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported a net income of 196.00M and revenue of 1.21B, resulting in a net margin of 16.2%.

MA - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a net income of 3.88B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in a net margin of 46.2%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AWK and MA in my portfolio?

AWK and MA have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AWK or MA?

MA has higher volatility (6.46%) compared to AWK (6.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWK dropped -37.10% vs MA's -62.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AWK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.38 vs -0.74), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.