American States Water Company vs Centene Corp — how do they compare? American States Water Company trades at $87.85 (market cap $3.47B), while Centene Corp trades at $65 (market cap $32.05B). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 9.2× American States Water Company's market cap, and American States Water Company pays a 2.49% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AWR | CNC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.47B | $32.05B |
Sector | Utilities | Health |
52-Week High | $89.28 | $68.72 |
52-Week Low | $70.10 | $26.17 |
Enterprise Value | $4.37B | $21.10B |
Dividend Yield | 2.49% | — |
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.
Centene (CNC) trades at $67.35, up 1.19% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. The stock has beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, including Q2 2026 EPS of $2.51 versus $1.09 expected, and shows robust cash flow trends with 2025 net cash flow of $3.94 billion. Recent news highlights margin recovery and raised 2026 guidance, reinforcing positive momentum.
The outlook remains favorable given valuation discounts (P/E of 8.06, P/S of 0.16) and analyst consensus price target of $71.00, though risks include negative net income margins and Medicaid membership volatility. Upside potential hinges on execution of cost controls and premium growth in government-sponsored health plans.
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 →Centene is a managed-care organization focused on government-sponsored healthcare plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the individual exchanges. Centene served 22 million medical members as of September 2021, mostly in Medicaid (68% of membership), the individual exchanges (10%), Medicare Advantage (6%), and the balance in Tricare (West region), correctional facility, and international plans. The company also serves 4 million users through the Medicare Part D pharmaceutical program.
Read more on CNC →