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).
AWK
American Water Works Company, Inc.
$125.07Utilities
BKH
Black Hills Corporation
$72.75Utilities
Total return — AWK vs BKH
growth of $100 · last 18yAWK +507.1%BKH +91.5%AWK compounded faster
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 8It 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
| Metric | AWK | BKH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.14 | 18.95● |
| Forward P/E | 19.06 | 15.77● |
| P/S ratio | 4.69 | 2.41● |
| P/B ratio | 2.21 | 1.39● |
| PEG ratio | 3.98● | 8.50 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.26 | 12.21● |
Profitability
| Metric | AWK | BKH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.55%● | 35.66% |
| Operating margin | 36.48%● | 23.30% |
| Net margin | 21.17%● | 12.61% |
| ROE | 9.98%● | 7.31% |
| ROIC | 4.21% | 4.63%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AWK | BKH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.70% | 3.79%● |
| Payout ratio | 59.25% | 69.12% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AWK | BKH |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Water Works P/E ratioBlack Hills P/E ratioAmerican Water Works dividend yieldBlack Hills dividend yieldAmerican Water Works ROEBlack Hills ROEAmerican Water Works operating marginBlack Hills operating marginAmerican Water Works revenue growthBlack Hills revenue growthAmerican Water Works free cash flowBlack Hills free cash flow
American Water Works & Black Hills 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 20, 2026.