Ameren Corporation (AEE) vs American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK)
AEE leads on 8 of 12 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Ameren Corporation and American Water Works Company, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AEE
Ameren Corporation
$110.48Utilities
AWK
American Water Works Company, Inc.
$126.87Utilities
Total return — AEE vs AWK
growth of $100 · last 18yAEE +142.1%AWK +521.0%AWK compounded faster
AEE AWK
AEE vs AWK: by the numbers
- •AEE is the larger company ($30.58B vs $24.98B market cap).
- •AEE trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.87 vs 22.45 P/E).
- •AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 17.17% net margin).
- •AEE grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.44% vs 6.38% CAGR).
- •AWK pays the higher dividend yield (2.66% vs 2.64%).
Which is better, AEE or AWK?
Metric tally: AEE 8 · AWK 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAEE(lower P/E)
GrowthAEE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityAWK(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AEE | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.87● | 22.45 |
| Forward P/E | 19.03 | 19.34 |
| P/S ratio | 3.46● | 4.75 |
| P/B ratio | 2.27 | 2.24 |
| PEG ratio | 0.87● | 3.98 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.79● | 14.38 |
Profitability
| Metric | AEE | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 39.38% | 43.55%● |
| Operating margin | 23.97% | 36.48%● |
| Net margin | 17.17% | 21.17%● |
| ROE | 11.24%● | 9.98% |
| ROIC | 4.01% | 4.21%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AEE | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.64% | 2.66% |
| Payout ratio | 54.28% | 59.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEE | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.44%● | 6.38% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.79%● | 7.78% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -39.48% | — |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.80%● | -2.17% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AEE or AWK?
- It depends on your goal. value: AEE (lower P/E); growth: AEE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: AWK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AEE leads 8 to 4.
- Is AEE or AWK cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AEE is cheaper: AEE trades at a 19.87 P/E and AWK at 22.45.
- Which has grown faster, AEE or AWK?
- Over the past five years, AEE grew revenue faster — AEE at a 8.44% CAGR versus AWK at 6.38%.
- Does AEE or AWK pay a bigger dividend?
- AEE yields 2.64% and AWK yields 2.66% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AEE or AWK more profitable?
- AWK runs the higher net margin — AEE at 17.17% versus AWK at 21.17%.
- Which has been the better investment, AEE or AWK?
- Over the past 10-year, AEE delivered the higher annualized total return — AEE at 11.18% versus AWK at 7.06%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ameren P/E ratioAmerican Water Works P/E ratioAmeren dividend yieldAmerican Water Works dividend yieldAmeren ROEAmerican Water Works ROEAmeren operating marginAmerican Water Works operating marginAmeren revenue growthAmerican Water Works revenue growthAmeren free cash flowAmerican Water Works free cash flow
Ameren & American Water Works appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 17, 2026.