American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT)
AWK leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of American Water Works Company, Inc. and Alliant 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.
$126.31Utilities
LNT
Alliant Energy Corporation
$73.11Utilities
Total return — AWK vs LNT
growth of $100 · last 18yAWK +513.2%LNT +284.8%AWK compounded faster
AWK LNT
AWK vs LNT: by the numbers
- •AWK is the larger company ($24.67B vs $18.88B market cap).
- •AWK trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.36 vs 22.92 P/E).
- •AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 18.58% net margin).
- •AWK grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.38% vs 5.38% CAGR).
- •LNT pays the higher dividend yield (2.85% vs 2.67%).
Which is better, AWK or LNT?
Metric tally: AWK 10 · LNT 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAWK(lower P/E)
GrowthAWK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeLNT(higher dividend yield)
QualityAWK(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AWK | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.36● | 22.92 |
| Forward P/E | 19.25● | 19.85 |
| P/S ratio | 4.73 | 4.28● |
| P/B ratio | 2.23● | 2.55 |
| PEG ratio | 3.98 | 1.21● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.34● | 14.94 |
Profitability
| Metric | AWK | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.55%● | 37.97% |
| Operating margin | 36.48%● | 23.01% |
| Net margin | 21.17%● | 18.58% |
| ROE | 9.98% | 11.06%● |
| ROIC | 4.21%● | 4.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | AWK | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.67% | 2.85%● |
| Payout ratio | 59.25% | 66.19% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AWK | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.38%● | 5.38% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.78%● | 4.98% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | 15.57% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.64% | 7.95%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AWK or LNT?
- It depends on your goal. value: AWK (lower P/E); growth: AWK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LNT (higher dividend yield); quality: AWK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AWK leads 10 to 5.
- Is AWK or LNT cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AWK is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.36 P/E and LNT at 22.92.
- Which has grown faster, AWK or LNT?
- Over the past five years, AWK grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus LNT at 5.38%.
- Does AWK or LNT pay a bigger dividend?
- AWK yields 2.67% and LNT yields 2.85% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AWK or LNT more profitable?
- AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus LNT at 18.58%.
- Which has been the better investment, AWK or LNT?
- Over the past 10-year, LNT delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 7.08% versus LNT at 9.86%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Water Works P/E ratioAlliant Energy P/E ratioAmerican Water Works dividend yieldAlliant Energy dividend yieldAmerican Water Works ROEAlliant Energy ROEAmerican Water Works operating marginAlliant Energy operating marginAmerican Water Works revenue growthAlliant Energy revenue growthAmerican Water Works free cash flowAlliant Energy free cash flow
American Water Works & Alliant 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 June 15, 2026.