Is AWK or CNP cheaper?

On trailing earnings, AWK is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.45 P/E and CNP at 26.60.

Which has grown faster, AWK or CNP?

Over the past five years, AWK grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus CNP at 3.83%.

Does AWK or CNP pay a bigger dividend?

AWK yields 2.66% and CNP yields 2.08% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is AWK or CNP more profitable?

AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus CNP at 11.38%.

Which has been the better investment, AWK or CNP?

Over the past 10-year, CNP delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 7.06% versus CNP at 9.95%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP)

AWK leads on 12 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of American Water Works Company, Inc. and CenterPoint Energy, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

AWK

American Water Works Company, Inc.

$24.98B

$126.87Utilities

CNP

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

$28.36B

$43.35Utilities

Total return — AWK vs CNP

growth of $100 · last 18y

AWK +521.0%CNP +180.2%AWK compounded faster

AWK CNP

AWK vs CNP: by the numbers

•CNP is the larger company ($28.36B vs $24.98B market cap).
•AWK trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.45 vs 26.60 P/E).
•AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 11.38% net margin).
•AWK grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.38% vs 3.83% CAGR).
•AWK pays the higher dividend yield (2.66% vs 2.08%).

Which is better, AWK or CNP?

Metric tally: AWK 12 · CNP 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAWK(lower P/E)

GrowthAWK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeAWK(higher dividend yield)

QualityAWK(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	AWK	CNP
P/E ratio	22.45●	26.60
Forward P/E	19.34●	20.83
P/S ratio	4.75	3.04●
P/B ratio	2.24●	2.50
PEG ratio	3.98●	12.53
EV / EBITDA	14.38	13.74●

Profitability

Metric	AWK	CNP
Gross margin	43.55%●	41.30%
Operating margin	36.48%●	22.51%
Net margin	21.17%●	11.38%
ROE	9.98%●	9.35%
ROIC	4.21%●	3.96%

Dividends

Metric	AWK	CNP
Dividend yield	2.66%●	2.08%
Payout ratio	59.25%	55.90%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AWK	CNP
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	6.38%●	3.83%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	7.78%●	3.11%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	—	-7.60%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-2.17%	14.00%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, AWK or CNP?: It depends on your goal. value: AWK (lower P/E); growth: AWK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AWK (higher dividend yield); quality: AWK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AWK leads 12 to 3.
Is AWK or CNP cheaper?: On trailing earnings, AWK is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.45 P/E and CNP at 26.60.
Which has grown faster, AWK or CNP?: Over the past five years, AWK grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus CNP at 3.83%.
Does AWK or CNP pay a bigger dividend?: AWK yields 2.66% and CNP yields 2.08% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AWK or CNP more profitable?: AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus CNP at 11.38%.
Which has been the better investment, AWK or CNP?: Over the past 10-year, CNP delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 7.06% versus CNP at 9.95%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AWK analysis Full CNP analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

American Water Works & CenterPoint 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 16, 2026.