CWT vs. MSA
CWT (California Water Service Group) and MSA (MSA Safety Incorporated) are both stocks. CWT operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities), while MSA operates in Security & Protection Services (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, CWT returned 5.57%/yr vs 13.24%/yr for MSA. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CWT vs. MSA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CWT achieves a 6.79% return, which is significantly higher than MSA's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, CWT has underperformed MSA with an annualized return of 5.57%, while MSA has yielded a comparatively higher 13.24% annualized return.
CWT
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 5.22%
- YTD
- 6.79%
- 6M
- 4.76%
- 1Y
- 0.41%
- 3Y*
- -3.04%
- 5Y*
- -2.91%
- 10Y*
- 5.57%
MSA
- 1D
- 0.25%
- 1M
- -7.01%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- -0.98%
- 1Y
- -1.81%
- 3Y*
- 1.68%
- 5Y*
- 0.39%
- 10Y*
- 13.24%
CWT vs. MSA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CWT California Water Service Group | 6.79% | -1.81% | -10.64% | -12.83% | -14.13% | 35.05% | 6.68% | 9.85% | 7.06% | 36.39% |
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated | 0.42% | -2.14% | -0.71% | 18.52% | -3.15% | 2.14% | 19.79% | 36.10% | 23.61% | 13.97% |
Correlation
The correlation between CWT and MSA is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.28 |
The correlation between CWT and MSA shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (1 year) to 0.31 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
CWT:
$1.99
MSA:
$9.85
CWT:
22.87
MSA:
16.23
CWT:
0.55
MSA:
0.06
CWT:
2.69
MSA:
2.46
CWT:
$1.01B
MSA:
$1.92B
CWT:
$366.63M
MSA:
$897.30M
CWT:
$329.51M
MSA:
$465.55M
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Return for Risk
CWT vs. MSA — Risk / Return Rank
CWT
MSA
CWT vs. MSA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for California Water Service Group (CWT) and MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA). 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.
| CWT | MSA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.02 | 1.01 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.03 | -0.08 | +0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.05 | -0.18 | +0.23 |
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Drawdowns
CWT vs. MSA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CWT drawdown since its inception was -38.21%, smaller than the maximum MSA drawdown of -70.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CWT and MSA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CWT | MSA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.21% | -70.32% | +32.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.59% | -22.60% | +8.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.13% | -34.28% | +10.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.21% | -34.28% | -3.93% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.21% | -38.39% | +0.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -29.87% | -20.82% | -9.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.70% | -17.44% | +5.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.73% | 10.15% | -2.42% |
Volatility
CWT vs. MSA - Volatility Comparison
California Water Service Group (CWT) has a higher volatility of 7.70% compared to MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) at 7.25%. This indicates that CWT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MSA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CWT | MSA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.70% | 7.25% | +0.45% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.76% | 17.89% | +0.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.20% | 24.14% | +0.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.30% | 24.75% | -0.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.74% | 28.78% | -1.04% |
Dividends
CWT vs. MSA - Dividend Comparison
CWT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, more than MSA's 1.33% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CWT California Water Service Group | 2.79% | 2.86% | 2.47% | 2.01% | 1.65% | 1.28% | 1.57% | 1.53% | 1.57% | 1.59% | 2.04% | 2.88% |
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated | 1.33% | 1.31% | 1.21% | 1.11% | 1.26% | 1.16% | 1.14% | 1.30% | 1.58% | 1.78% | 1.89% | 2.92% |
Financials
CWT vs. MSA - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between California Water Service Group and MSA Safety Incorporated. 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
CWT vs. MSA - Profitability Comparison
CWT - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, California Water Service Group reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 214.57M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
MSA - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported a gross profit of 219.58M and revenue of 463.63M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 47.4%.
CWT - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, California Water Service Group reported an operating income of 18.16M and revenue of 214.57M, resulting in an operating margin of 8.5%.
MSA - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported an operating income of 93.01M and revenue of 463.63M, resulting in an operating margin of 20.1%.
CWT - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, California Water Service Group reported a net income of 4.04M and revenue of 214.57M, resulting in a net margin of 1.9%.
MSA - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported a net income of 71.27M and revenue of 463.63M, resulting in a net margin of 15.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CWT and MSA have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CWT has higher volatility (7.70%) compared to MSA (7.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CWT dropped -38.21% vs MSA's -70.32%.
CWT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.02 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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