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).

Compare

Total return — AEE vs AWK

growth of $100 · last 18y
AEE +142.1%AWK +521.0%AWK compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100201120142017202020232026$242$621
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 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAEE(lower P/E)
GrowthAEE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityAWK(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAEEAWK
P/E ratio19.8722.45
Forward P/E19.0319.34
P/S ratio3.464.75
P/B ratio2.272.24
PEG ratio0.873.98
EV / EBITDA7.7914.38

Profitability

MetricAEEAWK
Gross margin39.38%43.55%
Operating margin23.97%36.48%
Net margin17.17%21.17%
ROE11.24%9.98%
ROIC4.01%4.21%

Dividends

MetricAEEAWK
Dividend yield2.64%2.66%
Payout ratio54.28%59.25%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAEEAWK
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.

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.