American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs CMS Energy Corporation (CMS)
A side-by-side comparison of American Water Works Company, Inc. and CMS Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AWK
American Water Works Company, Inc.
$138.09UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CMS
CMS Energy Corporation
$74.36UtilitiesAt close: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — AWK vs CMS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 18yAWK +943.1%CMS +819.2%AWK compounded faster
AWK CMS
AWK vs CMS: by the numbers
- •AWK is the larger company ($26.97B vs $22.97B market cap).
- •CMS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.37 vs 24.43 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 12.55% net margin).
- •AWK grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.38% vs 5.66% CAGR).
- •CMS pays the higher dividend yield (2.99% vs 2.45%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AWK | CMS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.43 | 20.37 |
| Forward P/E | 22.71 | 19.20 |
| P/S ratio | 5.17 | 2.53 |
| P/B ratio | 2.44 | 2.36 |
| PEG ratio | 3.98 | 3.48 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.10 | 14.21 |
Profitability
| Metric | AWK | CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.55% | 64.61% |
| Operating margin | 36.48% | 19.53% |
| Net margin | 21.17% | 12.55% |
| ROE | 9.98% | 11.69% |
| ROIC | 4.21% | 3.67% |
Dividends
| Metric | AWK | CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.45% | 2.99% |
| Payout ratio | 59.25% | 63.03% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AWK | CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.38% | 5.66% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.78% | 5.90% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | -16.59% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.09% | 6.82% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AWK or CMS?
- CMS has the lower trailing P/E: AWK trades at 24.43 and CMS at 20.37. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AWK or CMS?
- Over the past five years, AWK grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus CMS at 5.66%.
- Does AWK or CMS pay a bigger dividend?
- AWK yields 2.45% and CMS yields 2.99% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AWK or CMS more profitable?
- AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus CMS at 12.55%.
- How have AWK and CMS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AWK delivered 7.43% and CMS delivered 8.26% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Water Works P/E ratioCMS Energy P/E ratioAmerican Water Works dividend yieldCMS Energy dividend yieldAmerican Water Works ROECMS Energy ROEAmerican Water Works operating marginCMS Energy operating marginAmerican Water Works revenue growthCMS Energy revenue growthAmerican Water Works free cash flowCMS Energy free cash flow
American Water Works & CMS Energy 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 29, 2026.