American Water Works Company Inc vs W W Grainger Inc — how do they compare? American Water Works Company Inc trades at $135.3 (market cap $26.92B), while W W Grainger Inc trades at $1,300.82 (market cap $61.11B). The key difference: W W Grainger Inc is far larger — about 2.3× 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 | GWW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.92B | $61.11B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $146.20 | $1.40K |
52-Week Low | $121.13 | $918.18 |
Enterprise Value | $42.78B | $63.32B |
Dividend Yield | 2.64% | 0.77% |
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.
GWW trades at $1,277.55, down 0.39% on the day, amid a bearish technical signal. The stock has shown strong fundamental performance with Q2 2026 EPS beating estimates at $12.01 and revenue growth to $5.0 billion, leading to a raised full-year outlook. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $1,310 price target, though technical indicators suggest near-term pressure with support at $1,270 and resistance at $1,290.
The outlook for GWW is positive based on earnings momentum and margin expansion, but risks include macroeconomic sensitivity and competitive pressures. The stock's high P/E of 33.07 indicates premium valuation, requiring sustained growth to justify current levels. Institutional sentiment remains cautious with a Hold-heavy rating distribution.
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 →Grainger is a leading broad-line distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. It serves millions of customers worldwide through an integrated network of branches and digital platforms.
Read more on GWW →