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American Water Works vs California Water Service

American Water Works is the larger business, with $5.14bn of revenue in fiscal 2025 against $964m for California Water Service (5.3 times as much). American Water Works grew faster (9.7% against 6.4%). American Water Works kept more of each dollar of sales as profit: a net margin of 21.6% against 13.3%. California Water Service carries less debt relative to equity (94.8% against 146.2%).

Latest fiscal yearAmerican Water WorksAWK, 2025California Water ServiceCWT, 2025
Revenue $5.14bn $964m
Revenue growth 9.7% 6.4%
Net income $1.11bn $128m
Operating margin 36.6% 17.7%
Net margin 21.6% 13.3%
Return on equity 10.5% 7.7%
Free cash flow −$1.07bn —
Cash $98.0m $51.8m
Total debt $15.84bn $1.60bn
Debt to equity 146.2% 94.8%
Dividend per share $3.31 $1.24
Dividend yield 2.3% 2.5%
Share buybacks — $1.4m
Employees 7,000 1,336
Market value $29.34bn $3.11bn
Price vs our value range — Within our value range
Moat score 47 (Moderate) 51 (Moderate)
Insider trades, 12 months 0 buys, 0 sales 1 buys, 7 sales

Each figure is from the company's latest annual report and links to the page it comes from. Fiscal years can end on different dates. Market value and the value verdict use the delayed price shown on the stock pages. Not a recommendation.

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Figures from each company's latest annual report filed with the SEC (10-K or 20-F), as reported, with the fiscal year shown. Not investment advice. How we read filings: methodology.