American States Water Company vs Vistra Corp — how do they compare? American States Water Company trades at $87.85 (market cap $3.47B), while Vistra Corp trades at $146.8 (market cap $48.64B). The key difference: Vistra Corp is far larger — about 14× 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 | VST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.47B | $48.64B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $89.28 | $217.92 |
52-Week Low | $70.10 | $134.71 |
Enterprise Value | $4.37B | $70.58B |
Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 0.63% |
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.
VST trades at $146.36, up 2.44% with mixed technical signals showing bearish moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings with $1.767 billion adjusted EBITDA, beating expectations, while maintaining 2026 guidance. Valuation metrics show a P/E of 24.44 and robust profitability with 75.73% ROE, though recent earnings have been inconsistent with two misses in the last four quarters.
VST presents a compelling growth story driven by data center power demand and nuclear assets, with 90.9% analyst buy ratings and a $239.75 price target suggesting 64% upside. Key risks include ERCOT pricing volatility and hedging losses, while institutional interest remains strong with recent strategic acquisitions positioning the company for AI infrastructure growth.
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 →Vistra is a leading integrated retail electricity and power generation company that serves as a critical infrastructure provider for the digital economy. It operates a diversified portfolio of zero-carbon nuclear and renewable assets alongside a massive, flexible natural gas fleet, positioning it as an indispensable partner for energy-intensive AI data centers and industrial electrification.
Read more on VST →