American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs NiSource Inc. (NI)
NI leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics, though AWK is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of American Water Works Company, Inc. and NiSource Inc. 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).
Total return — AWK vs NI
growth of $100 · last 18yAWK +515.9%NI +553.9%NI compounded faster
AWK NI
AWK vs NI: by the numbers
- •AWK is the larger company ($24.78B vs $22.76B market cap).
- •AWK trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.45 vs 23.62 P/E).
- •AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 14.10% net margin).
- •NI grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.10% vs 6.38% CAGR).
- •AWK pays the higher dividend yield (2.66% vs 2.44%).
Which is better, AWK or NI?
Metric tally: AWK 6 · NI 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAWK(lower P/E)
GrowthNI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAWK(higher dividend yield)
QualityNI(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AWK | NI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.45● | 23.62 |
| Forward P/E | 19.34● | 21.20 |
| P/S ratio | 4.75 | 3.35● |
| P/B ratio | 2.24● | 2.36 |
| PEG ratio | 3.98 | 1.05● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.38 | 12.66● |
Profitability
| Metric | AWK | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.55% | 55.92%● |
| Operating margin | 36.48%● | 27.78% |
| Net margin | 21.17%● | 14.10% |
| ROE | 9.98% | 9.96% |
| ROIC | 4.21% | 4.51%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AWK | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.66%● | 2.44% |
| Payout ratio | 59.25% | 59.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AWK | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.38% | 8.10%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.78% | 14.27%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | -7.40% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.73% | 16.40%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AWK or NI?
- It depends on your goal. value: AWK (lower P/E); growth: NI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AWK (higher dividend yield); quality: NI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NI leads 8 to 6.
- Is AWK or NI cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AWK is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.45 P/E and NI at 23.62.
- Which has grown faster, AWK or NI?
- Over the past five years, NI grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus NI at 8.10%.
- Does AWK or NI pay a bigger dividend?
- AWK yields 2.66% and NI yields 2.44% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AWK or NI more profitable?
- AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus NI at 14.10%.
- Which has been the better investment, AWK or NI?
- Over the past 10-year, NI delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 7.09% versus NI at 9.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Water Works P/E ratioNiSource P/E ratioAmerican Water Works dividend yieldNiSource dividend yieldAmerican Water Works ROENiSource ROEAmerican Water Works operating marginNiSource operating marginAmerican Water Works revenue growthNiSource revenue growthAmerican Water Works free cash flowNiSource free cash flow
American Water Works & NiSource 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.