American States Water Company vs Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF — how do they compare? American States Water Company trades at $85.51 (market cap $3.33B), while Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF trades at $87.34. The key difference: American States Water Company pays a 2.37% dividend while Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF pays none, and American States Water Company is trading nearer its 52-week high, Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AWR | VUG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.33B | — |
Sector | Utilities | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $85.05 | $90.29 |
52-Week Low | $70.10 | $70.00 |
Enterprise Value | $4.24B | — |
Dividend Yield | 2.37% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
American States Water (AWR) trades at $85.05, up 0.64% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong profitability metrics including a 19.66% net income margin. Recent news highlights its inclusion in TIME's America's Best Companies 2026 list and a completed $200 million ATM equity offering. The stock shows consistent dividend performance with a 71-year growth streak, though recent quarters saw mixed earnings results versus expectations.
Outlook remains stable with revenue growth to $679 million in 2026 and solid cash flow, but risks include regulatory pressures and interest rate sensitivity. Analysts are cautious with only 20% buy ratings. The stock offers defensive appeal but faces execution risks in a high-valuation environment.
VUG trades at $86.15, down 1.43% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. Recent news highlights its low 0.03% expense ratio and 411% total return over the past decade. The ETF is heavily concentrated in technology stocks (70% of assets) and executed a 1:6 stock split in April 2026.
Outlook remains positive for long-term growth investors given strong historical performance and cost efficiency, though high tech exposure and market volatility present risks. The fund's ability to adapt to economic growth trends supports its appeal, but investors should weigh concentration risk against diversification benefits.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →VUG is an index-based ETF that tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, providing concentrated exposure to the largest and fastest-growing companies in the United States. It focuses on stocks with high growth potential across tech, communication, and consumer sectors, serving as a low-cost, high-conviction core holding for long-term capital appreciation.
Read more on VUG →