American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs FirstEnergy Corp. (FE)

A side-by-side comparison of American Water Works Company, Inc. and FirstEnergy Corp. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnAWK vs FE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
AWK +133.0% (+8.8%/yr)FE +108.0% (+7.6%/yr)AWK compounded faster over this window
100150200250Start $10020182020202220242026$233$208
AWK FE

AWK vs FE: by the numbers

  • AWK is the larger company ($27.36B vs $26.69B market cap).
  • AWK trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.82 vs 24.59 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.35% vs 6.86% net margin).
  • FE grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.73% vs 6.32% CAGR).
  • FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.93% vs 2.50%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAWKFE
P/E ratio23.8224.59
Forward P/E22.6416.89
P/S ratio5.181.69
P/B ratio2.352.06
EV / EBITDA14.9811.88

Profitability

MetricAWKFE
Gross margin47.20%53.43%
Operating margin36.94%18.57%
Net margin21.35%6.86%
ROE9.67%8.40%
ROIC4.35%4.43%

Dividends

MetricAWKFE
Dividend yield2.50%3.93%
Payout ratio59.60%97.06%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAWKFE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.32%7.73%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.78%-2.32%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A122.43%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-3.66%8.50%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, AWK or FE?
AWK has the lower trailing P/E: AWK trades at 23.82 and FE at 24.59. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, AWK or FE?
Over the past five years, FE grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.32% CAGR versus FE at 7.73%.
Does AWK or FE pay a bigger dividend?
AWK yields 2.50% and FE yields 3.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AWK or FE more profitable?
AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.35% versus FE at 6.86%.
How have AWK and FE total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, AWK delivered 8.76% and FE delivered 7.92% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.