American Water Works Company Inc vs PayPal Holdings, Inc. — how do they compare? American Water Works Company Inc trades at $135.48 (market cap $26.92B), while PayPal Holdings, Inc. trades at $58.98 (market cap $50.53B). The key difference: PayPal Holdings, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and American Water Works Company Inc pays the higher dividend (2.64%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AWK | PYPL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.92B | $50.53B |
Sector | Utilities | Financials |
52-Week High | $146.20 | $76.13 |
52-Week Low | $121.13 | $39.08 |
Enterprise Value | $42.78B | $52.68B |
Dividend Yield | 2.64% | 0.95% |
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.
PayPal (PYPL) trades at $59.07, down 1.19% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and strong cash flow. Recent earnings beat expectations, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.38 exceeding the $1.28 consensus, while revenue grew 4.8% year-over-year. The company raised full-year 2026 guidance, signaling confidence in its turnaround under new leadership, amid acquisition interest from Stripe and Advent International at a $53 billion valuation rejected by the board.
PYPL presents a value opportunity with a low P/E of 11.17 and robust free cash flow, but faces risks from competitive pressures and economic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is mixed with 35.7% buy ratings, though institutional buying and undervaluation narratives support upside potential if execution improves.
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 →PayPal Holdings, Inc. operates as a technology platform company that enables digital and mobile payments on behalf of consumers and merchants. The Company offers online payment solutions. PayPal Holdings serves customers worldwide.
Read more on PYPL →