American States Water Company vs Western Union Co — how do they compare? American States Water Company trades at $85.55 (market cap $3.33B), while Western Union Co trades at $7.91 (market cap $2.46B). The key difference: American States Water Company is the larger of the two by market cap, and Western Union Co pays the higher dividend (11.93%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AWR | WU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.33B | $2.46B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $85.05 | $10.28 |
52-Week Low | $70.10 | $7.04 |
Enterprise Value | $4.24B | $2.16B |
Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 11.93% |
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.
Western Union (WU) trades at $7.87, up 0.38% with a bullish technical signal. The stock shows attractive valuation with P/E of 5.79 and P/S of 0.63, supported by strong profitability metrics including 47.66% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed performance with Q1 2026 miss but Q3 and Q4 2025 beats. The company maintains strategic partnerships with Total Wireless and digital expansion initiatives, though revenue has declined from $4.5B in 2022 to $4.05B in 2025.
WU presents a value opportunity with deep valuation discounts but faces revenue headwinds and competitive pressures. The 11.5% dividend yield provides income support, though high debt levels and declining net income margins warrant caution. Analyst consensus remains mixed with 58% hold ratings, reflecting balanced risk-reward amid digital transformation efforts.
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 →Western Union provides domestic and international money transfers through its global network of about 500,000 outside agents. It is the largest money transfer company in the world and one of only a few companies with a truly global agent network.
Read more on WU →