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).

Compare

Total return — AWK vs NI

growth of $100 · last 18y
AWK +515.9%NI +553.9%NI compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100201120142017202020232026$616$654
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 8

It 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

MetricAWKNI
P/E ratio22.4523.62
Forward P/E19.3421.20
P/S ratio4.753.35
P/B ratio2.242.36
PEG ratio3.981.05
EV / EBITDA14.3812.66

Profitability

MetricAWKNI
Gross margin43.55%55.92%
Operating margin36.48%27.78%
Net margin21.17%14.10%
ROE9.98%9.96%
ROIC4.21%4.51%

Dividends

MetricAWKNI
Dividend yield2.66%2.44%
Payout ratio59.25%59.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAWKNI
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.

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.