American States Water Company vs Becton Dickinson and Co — how do they compare? American States Water Company trades at $87.74 (market cap $3.47B), while Becton Dickinson and Co trades at $183.43 (market cap $49.41B). The key difference: Becton Dickinson and Co is far larger — about 14.2× American States Water Company's market cap, and American States Water Company pays the higher dividend (2.49%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AWR | BDX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.47B | $49.41B |
Sector | Utilities | Health |
52-Week High | $89.28 | $185.39 |
52-Week Low | $70.10 | $138.62 |
Enterprise Value | $4.37B | $65.51B |
Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 2.32% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
American States Water (AWR) trades at $87.45, up 1.02% with a bullish technical outlook. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $1.09 per share, beating estimates, driven by water rate increases and revenue growth of 11.2%. Profitability remains robust with a 20.52% net income margin and ROE of 13.62%. Recent news highlights AWR's 71-year dividend growth streak and inclusion in TIME's America's Best Companies 2026 list.
AWR offers stable income with consistent dividend growth but faces valuation concerns at 23.92 P/E. Analyst consensus is cautious with 50% hold ratings. Key risks include regulatory dependence and competitive pressures. The stock presents a defensive play with reliable dividends but limited near-term upside given current multiples.
BDX trades at $180.64, up 0.56% today, near its consensus price target of $183. The stock shows bullish technical signals with strong moving averages and recent earnings beats in Q2 2026. Revenue growth is steady, with Q3 2026 reaching $5 billion, though margins face pressure from tariffs. The company maintains a Dividend Aristocrat status with consistent payouts.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with analyst consensus leaning buy, but risks include margin compression and debt levels. The stock offers stability through dividends and sector resilience, yet investors should monitor earnings sustainability and competitive threats in the medical technology space.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
American States Water provides water and electric services to over one million people in the U.S. It also manages water and wastewater systems for various military bases under long-term privatization contracts.
Read more on AWR →Becton, Dickinson is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of medical surgical products, such as needles, syringes, and sharps-disposal units. The company also manufactures diagnostic instruments and reagents, as well as flow cytometry and cell-imaging systems. BD Interventional (largely the former Bard business) accounts for 23% of revenue. International revenue accounts for 44% of the company's business.
Read more on BDX →