Black Hills Corporation (BKH) vs Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG)
A side-by-side comparison of Black Hills Corporation and Essential Utilities, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 2, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
BKH
Black Hills Corporation
$70.96UtilitiesDelayed quote: Oct 2, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
WTRG
Essential Utilities, Inc.
$39.38UtilitiesDelayed quote: Oct 2, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — BKH vs WTRG
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yBKH +77.6% (+5.9%/yr)WTRG +73.5% (+5.7%/yr)BKH compounded faster over this window
BKH WTRG
BKH vs WTRG: by the numbers
- •WTRG is the larger company ($11.17B vs $5.40B market cap).
- •BKH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.92 vs 20.09 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •WTRG converts more revenue to profit (21.60% vs 13.00% net margin).
- •WTRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.33% vs 4.57% CAGR).
- •BKH pays the higher dividend yield (3.92% vs 3.54%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BKH | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.92 | 20.09 |
| Forward P/E | 16.34 | 17.64 |
| PEG ratio | 10.24 | 1.39 |
| P/S ratio | 2.35 | 4.35 |
| P/B ratio | 1.37 | 1.59 |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.69 | 14.70 |
Profitability
| Metric | BKH | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 42.92% | 40.96% |
| Operating margin | 23.79% | 35.06% |
| Net margin | 13.00% | 21.60% |
| ROE | 7.58% | 7.91% |
| ROIC | 4.73% | 4.40% |
Dividends
| Metric | BKH | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.92% | 3.54% |
| Payout ratio | 70.33% | 70.84% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BKH | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.57% | 7.33% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 1.80% | 14.05% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.60% | -0.47% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, BKH or WTRG?
- BKH has the lower trailing P/E: BKH trades at 17.92 and WTRG at 20.09. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, BKH or WTRG?
- Over the past five years, WTRG grew revenue faster — BKH at a 4.57% CAGR versus WTRG at 7.33%.
- Does BKH or WTRG pay a bigger dividend?
- BKH yields 3.92% and WTRG yields 3.54% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BKH or WTRG more profitable?
- WTRG runs the higher net margin — BKH at 13.00% versus WTRG at 21.60%.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Black Hills P/E ratioEssential Utilities P/E ratioBlack Hills dividend yieldEssential Utilities dividend yieldBlack Hills ROEEssential Utilities ROEBlack Hills operating marginEssential Utilities operating marginBlack Hills revenue growthEssential Utilities revenue growthBlack Hills free cash flowEssential Utilities free cash flow
Black Hills & Essential Utilities 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 October 2, 2026.