American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs Black Hills Corporation (BKH)

BKH leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of American Water Works Company, Inc. and Black Hills Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AWK vs BKH

growth of $100 · last 18y
AWK +507.1%BKH +91.5%AWK compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100201120142017202020232026$607$191
AWK BKH

AWK vs BKH: by the numbers

  • AWK is the larger company ($24.42B vs $5.54B market cap).
  • BKH trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.95 vs 22.14 P/E).
  • AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 12.61% net margin).
  • AWK grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.38% vs 4.97% CAGR).
  • BKH pays the higher dividend yield (3.79% vs 2.70%).

Which is better, AWK or BKH?

Metric tally: AWK 7 · BKH 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueBKH(lower P/E)
GrowthAWK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeBKH(higher dividend yield)
QualityBKH(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAWKBKH
P/E ratio22.1418.95
Forward P/E19.0615.77
P/S ratio4.692.41
P/B ratio2.211.39
PEG ratio3.988.50
EV / EBITDA14.2612.21

Profitability

MetricAWKBKH
Gross margin43.55%35.66%
Operating margin36.48%23.30%
Net margin21.17%12.61%
ROE9.98%7.31%
ROIC4.21%4.63%

Dividends

MetricAWKBKH
Dividend yield2.70%3.79%
Payout ratio59.25%69.12%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAWKBKH
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.38%4.97%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.78%1.80%
FCF CAGR (5Y)20.20%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.49%5.65%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AWK or BKH?
It depends on your goal. value: BKH (lower P/E); growth: AWK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: BKH (higher dividend yield); quality: BKH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, BKH leads 8 to 7.
Is AWK or BKH cheaper?
On trailing earnings, BKH is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.14 P/E and BKH at 18.95.
Which has grown faster, AWK or BKH?
Over the past five years, AWK grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus BKH at 4.97%.
Does AWK or BKH pay a bigger dividend?
AWK yields 2.70% and BKH yields 3.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AWK or BKH more profitable?
AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus BKH at 12.61%.
Which has been the better investment, AWK or BKH?
Over the past 10-year, AWK delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 6.89% versus BKH at 5.26%. 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 20, 2026.