American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) vs WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC)
WEC leads on 7 of 13 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of American Water Works Company, Inc. and WEC Energy Group, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AWK
American Water Works Company, Inc.
$128.47Utilities
WEC
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
$114.67Utilities
Total return — AWK vs WEC
growth of $100 · last 18yAWK +519.8%WEC +391.9%AWK compounded faster
AWK WEC
AWK vs WEC: by the numbers
- •WEC is the larger company ($37.09B vs $24.95B market cap).
- •AWK trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.74 vs 22.89 P/E).
- •AWK converts more revenue to profit (21.17% vs 16.25% net margin).
- •AWK grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.38% vs 5.21% CAGR).
- •WEC pays the higher dividend yield (3.22% vs 2.63%).
Which is better, AWK or WEC?
Metric tally: AWK 6 · WEC 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthAWK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeWEC(higher dividend yield)
QualityWEC(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AWK | WEC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.74 | 22.89 |
| Forward P/E | 19.58 | 19.11● |
| P/S ratio | 4.81 | 3.73● |
| P/B ratio | 2.27● | 2.66 |
| PEG ratio | 3.98● | 21.18 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.49 | 14.45 |
Profitability
| Metric | AWK | WEC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.55% | 55.74%● |
| Operating margin | 36.48%● | 23.97% |
| Net margin | 21.17%● | 16.25% |
| ROE | 9.98% | 11.57%● |
| ROIC | 4.21% | 5.25%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AWK | WEC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.63% | 3.22%● |
| Payout ratio | 59.25% | 75.93% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AWK | WEC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.38%● | 5.21% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.78%● | 5.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | 11.42% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.66% | 7.89%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AWK or WEC?
- It depends on your goal. growth: AWK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: WEC (higher dividend yield); quality: WEC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, WEC leads 7 to 6.
- Is AWK or WEC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AWK is cheaper: AWK trades at a 22.74 P/E and WEC at 22.89.
- Which has grown faster, AWK or WEC?
- Over the past five years, AWK grew revenue faster — AWK at a 6.38% CAGR versus WEC at 5.21%.
- Does AWK or WEC pay a bigger dividend?
- AWK yields 2.63% and WEC yields 3.22% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AWK or WEC more profitable?
- AWK runs the higher net margin — AWK at 21.17% versus WEC at 16.25%.
- Which has been the better investment, AWK or WEC?
- Over the past 10-year, WEC delivered the higher annualized total return — AWK at 7.11% versus WEC at 9.55%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Water Works P/E ratioWEC Energy P/E ratioAmerican Water Works dividend yieldWEC Energy dividend yieldAmerican Water Works ROEWEC Energy ROEAmerican Water Works operating marginWEC Energy operating marginAmerican Water Works revenue growthWEC Energy revenue growthAmerican Water Works free cash flowWEC Energy free cash flow
American Water Works & WEC 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 17, 2026.