Is AWK or CMS cheaper?

On trailing earnings, CMS is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.36 P/E and CMS at 20.16.

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 2.67% and CMS yields 3.02% 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%.

Which has been the better investment, AWK or CMS?

Over the past 10-year, CMS delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 7.08% versus CMS at 8.60%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs CMS Energy Corporation (CMS)

CMS leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.

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 June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

AWK

American Water Works Company, Inc.

$24.67B

$126.31Utilities

CMS

CMS Energy Corporation

$22.73B

$73.57Utilities

Total return — AWK vs CMS

growth of $100 · last 18y

AWK +513.2%CMS +419.2%AWK compounded faster

AWK CMS

AWK vs CMS: by the numbers

•AWK is the larger company ($24.67B vs $22.73B market cap).
•CMS trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.16 vs 22.36 P/E).
•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 (3.02% vs 2.67%).

Which is better, AWK or CMS?

Metric tally: AWK 6 · CMS 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCMS(lower P/E)

GrowthAWK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeCMS(higher dividend yield)

QualityAWK(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	AWK	CMS
P/E ratio	22.36	20.16●
Forward P/E	19.25	17.63●
P/S ratio	4.73	2.51●
P/B ratio	2.23●	2.34
PEG ratio	3.98	3.45●
EV / EBITDA	14.34	12.67●

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	2.67%	3.02%●
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)	—	-16.59%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-2.64%	7.18%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, AWK or CMS?: It depends on your goal. value: CMS (lower P/E); growth: AWK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CMS (higher dividend yield); quality: AWK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CMS leads 9 to 6.
Is AWK or CMS cheaper?: On trailing earnings, CMS is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.36 P/E and CMS at 20.16.
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 2.67% and CMS yields 3.02% 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%.
Which has been the better investment, AWK or CMS?: Over the past 10-year, CMS delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 7.08% versus CMS at 8.60%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AWK analysis Full CMS analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

American Water Works P/E ratio CMS Energy P/E ratio American Water Works dividend yield CMS Energy dividend yield American Water Works ROE CMS Energy ROE American Water Works operating margin CMS Energy operating margin American Water Works revenue growth CMS Energy revenue growth American Water Works free cash flow CMS Energy free cash flow

American Water Works & CMS Energy appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Highest Operating Margin Stocks

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 15, 2026.