Ameren Corporation (AEE) vs American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK)
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 July 31, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AEE
Ameren Corporation
$109.61UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
AWK
American Water Works Company, Inc.
$134.17UtilitiesAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — AEE vs AWK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 18yAEE +391.5%AWK +913.9%AWK compounded faster
AEE AWK
AEE vs AWK: by the numbers
- •AEE is the larger company ($30.33B vs $26.66B market cap).
- •AEE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.30 vs 23.21 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.35% vs 17.86% net margin).
- •AEE grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.86% vs 6.32% CAGR).
- •AEE pays the higher dividend yield (2.66% vs 2.52%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AEE | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.30 | 23.21 |
| Forward P/E | 20.37 | 22.07 |
| P/S ratio | 3.49 | 4.98 |
| P/B ratio | 2.23 | 2.25 |
| PEG ratio | 0.87 | 3.98 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.41 | 14.68 |
Profitability
| Metric | AEE | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.58% | 44.38% |
| Operating margin | 24.87% | 36.94% |
| Net margin | 17.86% | 21.35% |
| ROE | 11.42% | 9.67% |
| ROIC | 4.01% | 4.21% |
Dividends
| Metric | AEE | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.66% | 2.52% |
| Payout ratio | 54.28% | 59.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEE | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.86% | 6.32% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.79% | 7.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.62% | -2.62% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AEE or AWK?
- AEE has the lower trailing P/E: AEE trades at 19.30 and AWK at 23.21. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AEE or AWK?
- Over the past five years, AEE grew revenue faster — AEE at a 7.86% CAGR versus AWK at 6.32%.
- Does AEE or AWK pay a bigger dividend?
- AEE yields 2.66% and AWK yields 2.52% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AEE or AWK more profitable?
- AWK runs the higher net margin — AEE at 17.86% versus AWK at 21.35%.
- How have AEE and AWK total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AEE delivered 10.82% and AWK delivered 7.05% annualized total return. 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 July 31, 2026.