WTRG vs. DUK
WTRG (Essential Utilities, Inc.) and DUK (Duke Energy Corporation) are both stocks. Both are in the Utilities sector — WTRG in Utilities - Regulated Water, DUK in Utilities - Regulated Electric. Over the past 10 years, WTRG returned 4.06%/yr vs 8.40%/yr for DUK. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
WTRG vs. DUK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, WTRG achieves a 2.44% return, which is significantly lower than DUK's 9.21% return. Over the past 10 years, WTRG has underperformed DUK with an annualized return of 4.06%, while DUK has yielded a comparatively higher 8.40% annualized return.
WTRG
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 2.85%
- 6M
- 2.54%
- YTD
- 2.44%
- 1Y
- 7.13%
- 3Y*
- 2.63%
- 5Y*
- -1.31%
- 10Y*
- 4.06%
DUK
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 9.59%
- YTD
- 9.21%
- 1Y
- 10.87%
- 3Y*
- 15.83%
- 5Y*
- 8.68%
- 10Y*
- 8.40%
WTRG vs. DUK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WTRG Essential Utilities, Inc. | 2.44% | 9.40% | 0.52% | -19.40% | -8.94% | 16.05% | 2.92% | 40.43% | -10.66% | 33.77% |
DUK Duke Energy Corporation | 9.21% | 12.72% | 15.56% | -1.63% | 2.03% | 19.11% | 4.77% | 10.29% | 7.41% | 12.96% |
Correlation
The correlation between WTRG and DUK is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 1987 | 0.35 |
Over the past year, WTRG and DUK have become more correlated (0.58) than their long-term average of 0.35, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Fundamentals
WTRG:
$10.94B
DUK:
$97.82B
WTRG:
$1.97
DUK:
$6.61
WTRG:
19.61
DUK:
19.00
WTRG:
2.75
DUK:
1.49
WTRG:
4.28
DUK:
2.93
WTRG:
1.59
DUK:
1.83
WTRG:
$2.55B
DUK:
$33.29B
WTRG:
$862.18M
DUK:
$19.45B
WTRG:
$1.23B
DUK:
$15.91B
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Return for Risk
WTRG vs. DUK — Risk / Return Rank
WTRG
DUK
WTRG vs. DUK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) and Duke Energy Corporation (DUK). 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.
| WTRG | DUK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 1.12 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.54 | 0.94 | -0.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.07 | 2.17 | -1.10 |
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Drawdowns
WTRG vs. DUK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum WTRG drawdown since its inception was -47.95%, smaller than the maximum DUK drawdown of -71.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTRG and DUK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| WTRG | DUK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -47.95% | -71.92% | +23.97% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.16% | -10.88% | -1.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.80% | -11.59% | -12.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.53% | -24.16% | -12.37% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.62% | -37.37% | -2.25% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.32% | -4.90% | -12.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.16% | -10.84% | -1.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.09% | 4.72% | +1.37% |
Volatility
WTRG vs. DUK - Volatility Comparison
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) and Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) have volatilities of 6.21% and 6.11%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| WTRG | DUK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.21% | 6.11% | +0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.67% | 12.04% | +3.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.38% | 15.47% | +5.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.34% | 17.91% | +4.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.90% | 20.43% | +4.47% |
Dividends
WTRG vs. DUK - Dividend Comparison
WTRG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, less than DUK's 3.68% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DUK Duke Energy Corporation | 3.68% | 3.60% | 3.84% | 4.18% | 3.86% | 3.72% | 4.17% | 4.11% | 4.21% | 4.15% | 4.33% | 4.54% |
WTRG Essential Utilities, Inc. | 3.55% | 3.48% | 3.48% | 3.18% | 2.33% | 1.93% | 2.05% | 1.93% | 2.48% | 2.02% | 2.46% | 2.30% |
Financials
WTRG vs. DUK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Essential Utilities, Inc. and Duke Energy Corporation. 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
WTRG vs. DUK - Profitability Comparison
WTRG - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 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%.
DUK - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Duke Energy Corporation reported a gross profit of 6.23B and revenue of 9.18B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.9%.
WTRG - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Essential Utilities, Inc. reported an operating income of 310.64M and revenue of 861.76M, resulting in an operating margin of 36.1%.
DUK - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Duke Energy Corporation reported an operating income of 2.73B and revenue of 9.18B, resulting in an operating margin of 29.7%.
WTRG - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Essential Utilities, Inc. reported a net income of 224.39M and revenue of 861.76M, resulting in a net margin of 26.0%.
DUK - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Duke Energy Corporation reported a net income of 1.55B and revenue of 9.18B, resulting in a net margin of 16.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
WTRG and DUK have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
WTRG has higher volatility (6.21%) compared to DUK (6.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WTRG dropped -47.95% vs DUK's -71.92%.
DUK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.66 vs 0.31), 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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