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

FE leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics, though AWK is the cheaper stock.

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

Compare

Total return — AWK vs FE

growth of $100 · last 18y
AWK +513.2%FE -38.7%AWK compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001kStart $100201120142017202020232026$613$61
AWK FE

AWK vs FE: by the numbers

  • FE is the larger company ($27.20B vs $24.67B market cap).
  • AWK trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.36 vs 25.63 P/E).
  • AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 6.86% net margin).
  • FE grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.52% vs 6.38% CAGR).
  • FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.83% vs 2.67%).

Which is better, AWK or FE?

Metric tally: AWK 6 · FE 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAWK(lower P/E)
GrowthFE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFE(higher dividend yield)
QualityFE(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAWKFE
P/E ratio22.3625.63
Forward P/E19.2515.97
P/S ratio4.731.76
P/B ratio2.232.16
PEG ratio3.986.15
EV / EBITDA14.3412.32
FCF yield6.58%

Profitability

MetricAWKFE
Gross margin43.55%53.77%
Operating margin36.48%18.72%
Net margin21.17%6.86%
ROE9.98%8.42%
ROIC4.21%4.46%

Dividends

MetricAWKFE
Dividend yield2.67%3.83%
Payout ratio59.25%101.69%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAWKFE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.38%7.52%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.78%-2.32%
FCF CAGR (5Y)7.07%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.64%8.26%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AWK or FE?
It depends on your goal. value: AWK (lower P/E); growth: FE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FE (higher dividend yield); quality: FE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FE leads 9 to 6.
Is AWK or FE cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AWK is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.36 P/E and FE at 25.63.
Which has grown faster, AWK or FE?
Over the past five years, FE grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus FE at 7.52%.
Does AWK or FE pay a bigger dividend?
AWK yields 2.67% and FE yields 3.83% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AWK or FE more profitable?
AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus FE at 6.86%.
Which has been the better investment, AWK or FE?
Over the past 10-year, FE delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 7.08% versus FE at 7.77%. 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 June 15, 2026.