CNS vs. WTRG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CNS (Cohen & Steers, Inc.) and WTRG (Essential Utilities, Inc.) are both stocks. CNS operates in Asset Management (Financial Services), while WTRG operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities). Over the past 10 years, CNS returned 11.12%/yr vs 3.78%/yr for WTRG. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CNS vs. WTRG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) and Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CNS achieves a 14.03% return, which is significantly higher than WTRG's -1.76% return. Over the past 10 years, CNS has outperformed WTRG with an annualized return of 11.12%, while WTRG has yielded a comparatively lower 3.78% annualized return.

CNS

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 3.78%
• YTD: 14.03%
• 6M: 14.73%
• 1Y: -4.13%
• 3Y*: 9.93%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 11.12%

WTRG

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: -1.76%
• 6M: -3.02%
• 1Y: -0.25%
• 3Y*: 0.07%
• 5Y*: -1.89%
• 10Y*: 3.78%

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

CNS vs. WTRG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CNS Cohen & Steers, Inc.	14.03%	-29.77%	25.53%	21.84%	-28.00%	29.00%	23.45%	93.97%	-19.74%	48.05%
WTRG Essential Utilities, Inc.	-1.76%	9.40%	0.52%	-19.40%	-8.94%	16.05%	2.92%	40.43%	-10.66%	33.77%

Correlation

The correlation between CNS and WTRG is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 17, 2004	0.34

The correlation between CNS and WTRG shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (1 year) to 0.35 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap CNS : $3.62B WTRG : $10.49B
EPS CNS : $3.02 WTRG : $1.97
PE Ratio CNS : 23.23 WTRG : 18.77
PS Ratio CNS : 6.30 WTRG : 4.10
PB Ratio CNS : 6.43 WTRG : 1.52
Total Revenue (TTM) CNS : $574.61M WTRG : $2.55B
Gross Profit (TTM) CNS : $381.59M WTRG : $862.18M
EBITDA (TTM) CNS : $206.82M WTRG : $1.23B

Return for Risk

CNS vs. WTRG — Risk / Return Rank

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

CNS

CNS Risk / Return Rank: 33
CNS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
CNS Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
CNS Omega Ratio Rank: 29
CNS Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
CNS Martin Ratio Rank: 35

WTRG

WTRG Risk / Return Rank: 37
WTRG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
WTRG Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
WTRG Omega Ratio Rank: 32
WTRG Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
WTRG Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

CNS vs. WTRG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) 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.

	CNS	WTRG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.16	-0.01	-0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.04	0.13	-0.18
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.02	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	-0.02	-0.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.32	-0.05	-0.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CNS vs. WTRG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CNS Sharpe Ratio is -0.16, which is lower than the WTRG Sharpe Ratio of -0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CNS and WTRG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CNS	WTRG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.16	-0.01	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	-0.08	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.15	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.46	-0.13

Drawdowns

CNS vs. WTRG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CNS drawdown since its inception was -85.40%, which is greater than WTRG's maximum drawdown of -47.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CNS and WTRG.

Drawdown Indicators

	CNS	WTRG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.40%	-47.95%	-37.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.32%	-12.16%	-11.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.59%	-23.80%	-18.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.25%	-36.53%	-9.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.06%	-39.62%	-15.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.63%	-20.71%	-9.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.20%	-12.14%	-11.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.78%	5.57%	+7.21%

Volatility

CNS vs. WTRG - Volatility Comparison

Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) has a higher volatility of 5.64% compared to Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) at 5.08%. This indicates that CNS'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.

Volatility by Period

	CNS	WTRG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.64%	5.08%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.55%	15.26%	+1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.20%	20.94%	+5.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.92%	22.38%	+7.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.95%	24.85%	+8.10%

Dividends

CNS vs. WTRG - Dividend Comparison

CNS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.68%, which matches WTRG's 3.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CNS Cohen & Steers, Inc.	3.68%	3.95%	2.56%	3.01%	3.41%	3.30%	3.45%	5.48%	11.13%	4.48%	4.58%	5.43%
WTRG Essential Utilities, Inc.	3.70%	3.48%	3.48%	3.18%	2.33%	1.93%	2.05%	1.93%	2.48%	2.02%	2.46%	2.30%

Financials

CNS vs. WTRG - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Cohen & Steers, Inc. and Essential Utilities, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

CNS - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cohen & Steers, Inc. reported a gross profit of 125.17M and revenue of 146.65M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 85.4%.

WTRG - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 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%.

CNS - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cohen & Steers, Inc. reported an operating income of 51.13M and revenue of 146.65M, resulting in an operating margin of 34.9%.

WTRG - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Essential Utilities, Inc. reported an operating income of 310.64M and revenue of 861.76M, resulting in an operating margin of 36.1%.

CNS - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cohen & Steers, Inc. reported a net income of 42.37M and revenue of 146.65M, resulting in a net margin of 28.9%.

WTRG - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 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

Can I hold both CNS and WTRG in my portfolio?

CNS and WTRG have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CNS or WTRG?

CNS has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to WTRG (5.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CNS dropped -85.40% vs WTRG's -47.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WTRG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.01 vs -0.16), 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.