American Water Works Company Inc vs Colgate-Palmolive Company — how do they compare? American Water Works Company Inc trades at $136.06 (market cap $26.92B), while Colgate-Palmolive Company trades at $92.22 (market cap $74.26B). The key difference: Colgate-Palmolive Company is far larger — about 2.8× American Water Works Company Inc's market cap, and American Water Works Company Inc pays the higher dividend (2.64%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AWK | CL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.92B | $74.26B |
Sector | Utilities | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $146.20 | $99.14 |
52-Week Low | $121.13 | $74.98 |
Enterprise Value | $42.78B | $80.74B |
Dividend Yield | 2.64% | 2.28% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AWK trades at $135.31, up 0.36% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $1.61, beating estimates, while Q1 and Q4 2025 missed. Revenue grew to $5.14B in 2025 with a 21.35% net margin. Analyst consensus is mixed with 14 Buy, 14 Hold, and 2 Sell ratings, targeting $139.83. Recent news highlights operational excellence awards and customer base expansion through acquisitions.
Outlook remains stable with consistent dividend payments and guided EPS growth. Risks include rising debt levels and regulatory pressures. The stock offers steady income and moderate growth potential, but investors should monitor execution on earnings targets and capital expenditure efficiency.
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades at $93.27, up 0.29% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and consistent earnings beats. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.99, exceeding estimates, driven by strong margins and organic growth in emerging markets, though North American performance remains weak. Operating cash flow remains robust at $4.2 billion in 2025, supporting shareholder returns.
Outlook is mixed: valuation appears stretched with a P/E of 36.72, but analyst consensus targets $99.10. Risks include competitive pressures in North America and high debt levels. The stock offers a stable dividend, but growth concerns and insider selling warrant caution.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
American Water Works is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility, serving approximately 3.5 million customers in 16 states. It provides water and wastewater services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers and operates predominantly in regulated markets. The company's only nonregulated business is water services for military bases, which operates under long-term contracts.
Read more on AWK →Since its founding in 1806, Colgate-Palmolive has grown to become a leading global consumer product company. In addition to its namesake oral care line, the firm manufactures shampoos, shower gels, deodorants, and home care products that are sold in over 200 countries (international sales account for about 70% of its consolidated total, including approximately 45% from emerging regions). It also owns specialty pet food maker Hill's, which sells its products through veterinarians and specialty pet retailers.
Read more on CL →