Is AWK or NRG cheaper?

On trailing earnings, AWK is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.14 P/E and NRG at 158.89.

Which has grown faster, AWK or NRG?

Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.

Does AWK or NRG pay a bigger dividend?

AWK yields 2.70% and NRG yields 1.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is AWK or NRG more profitable?

AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus NRG at 0.74%.

Which has been the better investment, AWK or NRG?

Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 6.89% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)

AWK leads on 9 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of American Water Works Company, Inc. and NRG Energy, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

AWK

American Water Works Company, Inc.

Total return — AWK vs NRG

growth of $100 · last 18y

AWK +507.1%NRG +201.2%AWK compounded faster

AWK NRG

AWK vs NRG: by the numbers

•NRG is the larger company ($28.50B vs $24.42B market cap).
•AWK trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.14 vs 158.89 P/E).
•AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 0.74% net margin).
•NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 6.38% CAGR).
•AWK pays the higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 1.35%).

Which is better, AWK or NRG?

Metric tally: AWK 9 · NRG 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAWK(lower P/E)

GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeAWK(higher dividend yield)

QualityNRG(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	AWK	NRG
P/E ratio	22.14●	158.89
Forward P/E	19.06	—
P/S ratio	4.69	0.87●
P/B ratio	2.21●	5.76
PEG ratio	3.98●	10.97
EV / EBITDA	14.26●	19.90

Profitability

Metric	AWK	NRG
Gross margin	43.55%●	17.07%
Operating margin	36.48%●	3.00%
Net margin	21.17%●	0.74%
ROE	9.98%●	4.90%
ROIC	4.21%	7.00%●

Dividends

Metric	AWK	NRG
Dividend yield	2.70%●	1.35%
Payout ratio	59.25%	44.74%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AWK	NRG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	6.38%	16.42%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	7.78%	14.48%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	—	-13.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-2.49%	33.27%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, AWK or NRG?: It depends on your goal. value: AWK (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AWK (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AWK leads 9 to 5.
Is AWK or NRG cheaper?: On trailing earnings, AWK is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.14 P/E and NRG at 158.89.
Which has grown faster, AWK or NRG?: Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.
Does AWK or NRG pay a bigger dividend?: AWK yields 2.70% and NRG yields 1.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AWK or NRG more profitable?: AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus NRG at 0.74%.
Which has been the better investment, AWK or NRG?: Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 6.89% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AWK analysis Full NRG analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

American Water Works P/E ratio NRG Energy P/E ratio American Water Works dividend yield NRG Energy dividend yield American Water Works ROE NRG Energy ROE American Water Works operating margin NRG Energy operating margin American Water Works revenue growth NRG Energy revenue growth American Water Works free cash flow NRG Energy free cash flow

American Water Works & NRG Energy appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks Highest Operating Margin Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks

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 20, 2026.