American States Water Company vs W W Grainger Inc — how do they compare? American States Water Company trades at $87.85 (market cap $3.47B), while W W Grainger Inc trades at $1,305.49 (market cap $61.32B). The key difference: W W Grainger Inc is far larger — about 17.7× 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 | GWW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.47B | $61.32B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $89.28 | $1.40K |
52-Week Low | $70.10 | $918.18 |
Enterprise Value | $4.37B | $63.53B |
Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 0.77% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AWR trades at $87.95, up 1.59% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported a Q2 2026 EPS beat of $1.09 versus $0.915 expected, driven by water rate increases and revenue growth. Recent news highlights its 71-year dividend growth streak and an 8.2% dividend hike announced in July 2026. Financials show solid profitability with a 20.52% net income margin and ROE of 13.62%, though valuation ratios like P/E of 23.92 are above sector averages.
Outlook is mixed: strong dividend history and earnings growth support income investors, but elevated valuation and mixed analyst consensus (20% buy, 50% hold, 30% sell) suggest limited near-term upside. Key risks include regulatory dependence on rate approvals and potential overvaluation relative to peers.
W.W. Grainger (GWW) trades at $1,304.88, up 0.57% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 results, beating EPS and revenue estimates, and raised its full-year outlook. Revenue grew to $18.8 billion in 2026, with a net income margin of 9.92%. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a $1,320 price target, though institutional sentiment is mixed amid high valuation multiples.
GWW's earnings momentum and market share gains support upside potential, but elevated P/E of 33.19 and bearish technicals pose near-term risks. Investors should weigh robust fundamentals against valuation concerns and macroeconomic pressures affecting industrial demand.
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 →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 →