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.

Compare

Total return — BKH vs WTRG

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
BKH +77.6% (+5.9%/yr)WTRG +73.5% (+5.7%/yr)BKH compounded faster over this window
100150200Start $10020182020202220242026$178$174
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

MetricBKHWTRG
P/E ratio17.9220.09
Forward P/E16.3417.64
PEG ratio10.241.39
P/S ratio2.354.35
P/B ratio1.371.59
EV / EBITDA11.6914.70

Profitability

MetricBKHWTRG
Gross margin42.92%40.96%
Operating margin23.79%35.06%
Net margin13.00%21.60%
ROE7.58%7.91%
ROIC4.73%4.40%

Dividends

MetricBKHWTRG
Dividend yield3.92%3.54%
Payout ratio70.33%70.84%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBKHWTRG
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%.

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.