AWK vs. WTRG
AWK (American Water Works Company, Inc.) and WTRG (Essential Utilities, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Utilities - Regulated Water industry within the Utilities sector. Over the past 10 years, AWK returned 7.12%/yr vs 4.23%/yr for WTRG. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
AWK vs. WTRG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AWK achieves a 4.25% return, which is significantly lower than WTRG's 5.81% return. Over the past 10 years, AWK has outperformed WTRG with an annualized return of 7.12%, while WTRG has yielded a comparatively lower 4.23% annualized return.
AWK
- 1D
- -1.93%
- 1M
- -1.97%
- 6M
- 5.36%
- YTD
- 4.25%
- 1Y
- -5.50%
- 3Y*
- -0.08%
- 5Y*
- -2.62%
- 10Y*
- 7.12%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.51%
WTRG
- 1D
- -1.24%
- 1M
- 1.19%
- 6M
- 4.64%
- YTD
- 5.81%
- 1Y
- 8.19%
- 3Y*
- 1.93%
- 5Y*
- -1.15%
- 10Y*
- 4.23%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.87%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350.60M | $305.70M | $284.77M | |
| $80.25M | $77.00M | $74.72M |
AWK vs. WTRG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc. | 4.25% | 7.40% | -3.53% | -11.68% | -17.89% | 24.83% | 26.88% | 37.79% | 1.32% | 29.01% |
WTRG Essential Utilities, Inc. | 5.81% | 9.40% | 0.52% | -19.40% | -8.94% | 16.05% | 2.92% | 40.43% | -10.66% | 33.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between AWK and WTRG is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.84 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.83 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2008 | 0.74 |
The correlation between AWK and WTRG shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (all time) to 0.91 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
AWK:
$26.66B
WTRG:
$11.30B
AWK:
$5.78
WTRG:
$1.97
AWK:
23.22
WTRG:
20.26
AWK:
4.96
WTRG:
4.42
AWK:
2.25
WTRG:
1.64
AWK:
$5.28B
WTRG:
$2.55B
AWK:
$2.35B
WTRG:
$862.18M
AWK:
$2.53B
WTRG:
$1.23B
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Return for Risk
AWK vs. WTRG — Risk / Return Rank
AWK
WTRG
AWK vs. WTRG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) and Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG). 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 | WTRG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.64 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.93 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.11 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.12 | 1.01 | -1.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.20 | 1.99 | -2.19 |
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Drawdowns
AWK vs. WTRG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AWK drawdown since its inception was -37.10%, smaller than the maximum WTRG drawdown of -47.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWK and WTRG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AWK | WTRG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.10% | -47.95% | +10.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.45% | -12.16% | -3.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.99% | -19.80% | +0.81% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.10% | -36.53% | -0.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.10% | -39.62% | +2.52% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -21.67% | -14.60% | -7.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.61% | -12.16% | +2.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.86% | 6.18% | +2.68% |
Volatility
AWK vs. WTRG - Volatility Comparison
American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) has a higher volatility of 8.37% compared to Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) at 7.28%. This indicates that AWK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WTRG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AWK | WTRG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.37% | 7.28% | +1.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.93% | 15.97% | +0.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.74% | 21.89% | +0.85% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.04% | 22.41% | +0.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.83% | 24.95% | -1.12% |
Dividends
AWK vs. WTRG - Dividend Comparison
AWK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, less than WTRG's 3.44% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc. | 2.52% | 2.49% | 2.41% | 2.10% | 1.68% | 1.25% | 1.40% | 1.59% | 1.96% | 1.77% | 2.02% | 2.23% |
WTRG Essential Utilities, Inc. | 3.44% | 3.48% | 3.48% | 3.18% | 2.33% | 1.93% | 2.05% | 1.93% | 2.48% | 2.02% | 2.46% | 2.30% |
Financials
AWK vs. WTRG - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between American Water Works Company, Inc. and Essential Utilities, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
AWK vs. WTRG - Profitability Comparison
AWK - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported a gross profit of 874.00M and revenue of 1.36B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 64.5%.
WTRG - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Essential Utilities, Inc. reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 861.76M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
AWK - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported an operating income of 542.00M and revenue of 1.36B, resulting in an operating margin of 40.0%.
WTRG - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Essential Utilities, Inc. reported an operating income of 310.64M and revenue of 861.76M, resulting in an operating margin of 36.1%.
AWK - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported a net income of 315.00M and revenue of 1.36B, resulting in a net margin of 23.3%.
WTRG - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Essential Utilities, Inc. reported a net income of 224.39M and revenue of 861.76M, resulting in a net margin of 26.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, AWK and WTRG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
AWK has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to WTRG (7.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWK dropped -37.10% vs WTRG's -47.95%.
WTRG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.56 vs -0.08), 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.
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