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 $147.27 (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
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.
Vistra (VST) trades at $146.68, up 2.67% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but strong analyst support (90.9% buy ratings). Recent Q2 2026 earnings showed a beat on EPS ($2.87 actual vs. $1.32 expected) but a revenue miss, while the company reaffirmed full-year guidance amid growing data center power demand. The stock's valuation includes a P/E of 24.44 and a high ROE of 75.73%, though net cash flow was negative in 2025.
The outlook is positive due to robust EBITDA growth and strategic positioning in the AI power sector, with a consensus price target of $239.75 implying significant upside. Key risks include ERCOT market volatility, hedging losses, and high debt levels, requiring monitoring of execution on data center deals and cost controls.
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 →