Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW) vs Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG)
A side-by-side comparison of Pinnacle West Capital 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.
PNW
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
$95.92UtilitiesDelayed quote: Oct 2, 2026, 4:02 PM EDT
WTRG
Essential Utilities, Inc.
$39.38UtilitiesDelayed quote: Oct 2, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — PNW vs WTRG
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yPNW +90.2% (+6.6%/yr)WTRG +64.1% (+5.1%/yr)PNW compounded faster over this window
PNW WTRG
PNW vs WTRG: by the numbers
- •PNW is the larger company ($11.62B vs $11.17B market cap).
- •PNW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.41 vs 20.09 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •WTRG converts more revenue to profit (21.60% vs 11.52% net margin).
- •PNW grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.51% vs 7.33% CAGR).
- •PNW pays the higher dividend yield (3.85% vs 3.54%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | PNW | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 18.41 | 20.09 |
| Forward P/E | 20.27 | 17.64 |
| PEG ratio | 25.22 | 1.39 |
| P/S ratio | 2.09 | 4.35 |
| P/B ratio | 1.65 | 1.59 |
| EV / EBITDA | 9.34 | 14.70 |
Profitability
| Metric | PNW | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 25.41% | 40.96% |
| Operating margin | 27.03% | 35.06% |
| Net margin | 11.52% | 21.60% |
| ROE | 9.10% | 7.91% |
| ROIC | 4.17% | 4.40% |
Dividends
| Metric | PNW | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.85% | 3.54% |
| Payout ratio | 69.87% | 70.84% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PNW | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.51% | 7.33% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 1.04% | 14.05% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.29% | -0.47% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, PNW or WTRG?
- PNW has the lower trailing P/E: PNW trades at 18.41 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, PNW or WTRG?
- Over the past five years, PNW grew revenue faster — PNW at a 8.51% CAGR versus WTRG at 7.33%.
- Does PNW or WTRG pay a bigger dividend?
- PNW yields 3.85% and WTRG yields 3.54% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is PNW or WTRG more profitable?
- WTRG runs the higher net margin — PNW at 11.52% versus WTRG at 21.60%.
- How have PNW and WTRG total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, PNW delivered 6.33% and WTRG delivered 5.22% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Pinnacle West Capital P/E ratioEssential Utilities P/E ratioPinnacle West Capital dividend yieldEssential Utilities dividend yieldPinnacle West Capital ROEEssential Utilities ROEPinnacle West Capital operating marginEssential Utilities operating marginPinnacle West Capital revenue growthEssential Utilities revenue growthPinnacle West Capital free cash flowEssential Utilities free cash flow
Pinnacle West Capital & 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.