American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT)
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 July 31, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AWK
American Water Works Company, Inc.
$136.81UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
LNT
Alliant Energy Corporation
$70.89UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AWK vs LNT
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 18yAWK +933.8%LNT +641.9%AWK compounded faster
AWK LNT
AWK vs LNT: by the numbers
- •AWK is the larger company ($26.72B vs $18.31B market cap).
- •LNT trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (22.22 vs 23.67 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.35% vs 18.58% net margin).
- •AWK grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.32% vs 5.38% CAGR).
- •LNT pays the higher dividend yield (2.94% vs 2.47%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AWK | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.67 | 22.22 |
| Forward P/E | 22.51 | 20.73 |
| P/S ratio | 5.07 | 4.15 |
| P/B ratio | 2.30 | 2.47 |
| PEG ratio | 3.98 | 1.21 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.86 | 16.05 |
Profitability
| Metric | AWK | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.38% | 37.97% |
| Operating margin | 36.94% | 23.01% |
| Net margin | 21.35% | 18.58% |
| ROE | 9.67% | 11.06% |
| ROIC | 4.21% | 4.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | AWK | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.47% | 2.94% |
| Payout ratio | 59.25% | 66.19% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AWK | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.32% | 5.38% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.78% | 4.98% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.24% | 7.16% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AWK or LNT?
- LNT has the lower trailing P/E: AWK trades at 23.67 and LNT at 22.22. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AWK or LNT?
- Over the past five years, AWK grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.32% CAGR versus LNT at 5.38%.
- Does AWK or LNT pay a bigger dividend?
- AWK yields 2.47% and LNT yields 2.94% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AWK or LNT more profitable?
- AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.35% versus LNT at 18.58%.
- How have AWK and LNT total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AWK delivered 7.26% and LNT delivered 9.10% annualized total return. 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 July 31, 2026.