HTO vs. NDSN

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

HTO (H2O America) and NDSN (Nordson Corporation) are both stocks. HTO operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities), while NDSN operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, HTO returned 6.53%/yr vs 14.17%/yr for NDSN. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

HTO vs. NDSN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in H2O America (HTO) and Nordson Corporation (NDSN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HTO achieves a 18.36% return, which is significantly lower than NDSN's 20.24% return. Over the past 10 years, HTO has underperformed NDSN with an annualized return of 6.53%, while NDSN has yielded a comparatively higher 14.17% annualized return.

HTO

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 18.36%
• 6M: 18.21%
• 1Y: 10.33%
• 3Y*: -4.86%
• 5Y*: -0.18%
• 10Y*: 6.53%

NDSN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 20.24%
• 6M: 23.21%
• 1Y: 34.03%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 14.17%

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

HTO vs. NDSN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HTO H2O America	18.36%	2.92%	-22.57%	-17.78%	13.40%	7.66%	-0.43%	30.19%	-11.20%	16.22%
NDSN Nordson Corporation	20.24%	17.03%	-20.15%	12.39%	-5.93%	28.09%	24.45%	37.88%	-17.65%	31.83%

Correlation

The correlation between HTO and NDSN is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990	0.27

The correlation between HTO and NDSN shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.31 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap HTO : $2.20B NDSN : $16.17B
EPS HTO : $2.90 NDSN : $9.36
PE Ratio HTO : 19.70 NDSN : 30.79
PEG Ratio HTO : 2.04 NDSN : 12.07
PS Ratio HTO : 2.54 NDSN : 5.60
PB Ratio HTO : 1.20 NDSN : 5.05
Total Revenue (TTM) HTO : $816.28M NDSN : $2.90B
Gross Profit (TTM) HTO : $335.79M NDSN : $1.60B
EBITDA (TTM) HTO : $273.35M NDSN : $744.50M

Return for Risk

HTO vs. NDSN — Risk / Return Rank

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

HTO

HTO Risk / Return Rank: 54
HTO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
HTO Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
HTO Omega Ratio Rank: 49
HTO Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
HTO Martin Ratio Rank: 58

NDSN

NDSN Risk / Return Rank: 82
NDSN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
NDSN Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
NDSN Omega Ratio Rank: 78
NDSN Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
NDSN Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

HTO vs. NDSN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for H2O America (HTO) and Nordson Corporation (NDSN). 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.

	HTO	NDSN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	1.61	-1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.77	2.35	-1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.27	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	2.42	-1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.48	7.81	-6.33

HTO vs. NDSN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HTO Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is lower than the NDSN Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HTO and NDSN, 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

HTO vs. NDSN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HTO drawdown since its inception was -54.53%, smaller than the maximum NDSN drawdown of -73.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTO and NDSN.

Drawdown Indicators

	HTO	NDSN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.53%	-73.62%	+19.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.19%	-14.15%	-2.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.14%	-39.15%	+4.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.85%	-39.15%	-3.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.85%	-44.24%	+1.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.64%	-3.41%	-21.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.90%	-13.24%	-2.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.98%	4.37%	+2.61%

Volatility

HTO vs. NDSN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for H2O America (HTO) is 6.85%, while Nordson Corporation (NDSN) has a volatility of 8.59%. This indicates that HTO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NDSN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HTO	NDSN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.85%	8.59%	-1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.54%	15.87%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.12%	21.26%	+1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.06%	24.78%	-0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.56%	28.47%	+1.09%

Dividends

HTO vs. NDSN - Dividend Comparison

HTO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, more than NDSN's 1.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HTO H2O America	3.01%	3.43%	3.25%	2.33%	1.77%	1.86%	1.85%	1.69%	2.01%	1.63%	1.45%	2.63%
NDSN Nordson Corporation	1.12%	1.66%	1.02%	1.01%	0.98%	0.71%	0.77%	0.90%	1.09%	0.78%	0.91%	1.43%

Financials

HTO vs. NDSN - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between H2O America and Nordson Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

HTO - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, H2O America reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 183.29M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.

NDSN - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported a gross profit of 404.08M and revenue of 740.85M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 54.5%.

HTO - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, H2O America reported an operating income of 37.43M and revenue of 183.29M, resulting in an operating margin of 20.4%.

NDSN - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported an operating income of 197.20M and revenue of 740.85M, resulting in an operating margin of 26.6%.

HTO - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, H2O America reported a net income of 19.01M and revenue of 183.29M, resulting in a net margin of 10.4%.

NDSN - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported a net income of 117.32M and revenue of 740.85M, resulting in a net margin of 15.8%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HTO and NDSN in my portfolio?

HTO and NDSN have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HTO or NDSN?

NDSN has higher volatility (8.59%) compared to HTO (6.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTO dropped -54.53% vs NDSN's -73.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NDSN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 0.45), 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.