American Water Works Company Inc vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? American Water Works Company Inc trades at $135.3 (market cap $26.92B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $292.17 (market cap $173.61B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is far larger — about 6.4× 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 | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.92B | $173.61B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $146.20 | $307.32 |
52-Week Low | $121.13 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $42.78B | $202.67B |
Dividend Yield | 2.64% | 1.94% |
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.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $293.13, down 0.76% on the day, with a neutral technical signal despite bullish moving averages. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with Q2 2026 EPS beating estimates at $3.41 versus $3.26 expected, while revenue growth and improved operating efficiency support management's raised full-year guidance. Recent dividend increases and institutional accumulation reflect confidence in the railroad operator's service-led growth strategy.
UNP presents a compelling investment case with 58.7% analyst buy ratings and a $334.33 consensus price target implying 14% upside. Key opportunities include pricing power, margin expansion, and domestic intermodal growth, while risks involve high fuel costs, regulatory scrutiny of the Norfolk Southern merger, and macroeconomic pressures on freight volumes.
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 →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →