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).

Compare

Total return — AWK vs WEC

growth of $100 · last 18y
AWK +519.8%WEC +391.9%AWK compounded faster
200400600800Start $100201120142017202020232026$620$492
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 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthAWK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeWEC(higher dividend yield)
QualityWEC(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAWKWEC
P/E ratio22.7422.89
Forward P/E19.5819.11
P/S ratio4.813.73
P/B ratio2.272.66
PEG ratio3.9821.18
EV / EBITDA14.4914.45

Profitability

MetricAWKWEC
Gross margin43.55%55.74%
Operating margin36.48%23.97%
Net margin21.17%16.25%
ROE9.98%11.57%
ROIC4.21%5.25%

Dividends

MetricAWKWEC
Dividend yield2.63%3.22%
Payout ratio59.25%75.93%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAWKWEC
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.

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.