SJW [SJW] vs Essential Utilities [WTRG] Detailed Stock Comparison
TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary
Based on 21 vital metrics comparison: SJW Group wins in 10 metrics, Essential Utilities Inc. wins in 11 metrics, with 0 ties. Essential Utilities Inc. appears stronger overall.
View Metrics Details
Vital Metrics Comparison
| Metric | SJW Group | Essential Utilities Inc. | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 18.29 | 17.96 | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| Price-to-Book Ratio | 1.34 | 1.63 | SJW Group |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio | 133.31 | 121.56 | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| PEG Ratio | 18.66 | -0.60 | SJW Group |
| EV/EBITDA | 12.32 | 14.64 | SJW Group |
| Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.89% | 24.91% | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 22.37% | 32.43% | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| EBITDA Margin (TTM) | 22.37% | 32.43% | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| Return on Equity | 7.49% | 9.44% | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.56% | 3.05% | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| Free Cash Flow (TTM) | $-185.11M | $-419.52M | SJW Group |
| Dividend Yield | 3.15% | 3.61% | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| 1-Year Return | -10.25% | -1.42% | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.45 | 4.52 | SJW Group |
| Enterprise Value | $3.72B | $19.49B | Essential Utilities Inc. |
| EV/Revenue Ratio | 4.85 | 7.88 | SJW Group |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 60.34% | 51.35% | SJW Group |
| Revenue per Share (TTM) | $23 | $9 | SJW Group |
| Earnings per Share (Diluted) | $3.00 | $2.20 | SJW Group |
| Beta (Stock Volatility) | 0.57 | 0.77 | SJW Group |
| Short % of Float | 2.06% | 1.72% | Essential Utilities Inc. |
SJW Group vs Essential Utilities Inc. Stock Performance Analysis
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Performance Comparison
Short-term Returns
| Stock | 1D | 1W | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJW Group | -1.11% | 0.73% | -0.42% | 2.09% | 2.09% | 2.09% |
| Essential Utilities Inc. | 0.13% | 2.48% | 1.49% | -8.48% | -2.26% | -2.87% |
Long-term Returns
| Stock | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | 15Y | 20Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJW Group | -10.25% | -17.59% | -19.54% | 67.15% | 122.39% | 109.57% |
| Essential Utilities Inc. | -1.42% | -9.46% | -19.56% | 10.88% | 117.83% | 120.26% |
Performance & Financial Health Analysis: SJW Group vs Essential Utilities Inc.
| Metric | SJW | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Market Information | ||
| Market Cap | $1.88B | $11.20B |
| Market Cap Category | Small cap | Large cap |
| 10 Day Avg. Volume | 226,623 | 2,981,330 |
| 90 Day Avg. Volume | 228,109 | 2,206,650 |
| Last Close | $52.35 | $37.56 |
| 52 Week Range | $44.91 - $62.18 | $36.11 - $42.37 |
| % from 52W High | -15.81% | -11.35% |
| All-Time High | $83.88 (Dec 26, 2022) | $54.52 (Feb 17, 2020) |
| % from All-Time High | -37.59% | -31.11% |
| Growth Metrics | ||
| Quarterly Revenue Growth | 0.12% | 0.16% |
| Quarterly Earnings Growth | 0.42% | -0.28% |
| Financial Health | ||
| Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.13% | 0.25% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 0.22% | 0.32% |
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 0.07% | 0.09% |
| Debt to Equity (MRQ) | 133.31 | 121.56 |
| Cash & Liquidity | ||
| Book Value per Share (MRQ) | $40.88 | $24.22 |
| Cash per Share (MRQ) | $0.69 | $0.12 |
| Operating Cash Flow (TTM) | $187.49M | $1.01B |
| Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) | $-147,291,632 | $-762,487,232 |
| Dividends | ||
| Last 12-Month Dividend Yield | 3.15% | 3.61% |
| Last 12-Month Dividend | $1.64 | $1.35 |
Valuation & Enterprise Metrics Analysis: SJW Group vs Essential Utilities Inc.
| Metric | SJW (Jul 10, 2025) | WTRG (Apr 26, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Price Ratios | ||
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 18.29 | 17.96 |
| Forward P/E | 18.66 | 16.35 |
| PEG Ratio | 18.66 | -0.60 |
| Price to Sales (TTM) | 2.45 | 4.52 |
| Price to Book (MRQ) | 1.34 | 1.63 |
| Market Capitalization | ||
| Market Capitalization | $1.88B | $11.20B |
| Enterprise Value | $3.72B | $19.49B |
| Enterprise Value Metrics | ||
| Enterprise to Revenue | 4.85 | 7.88 |
| Enterprise to EBITDA | 12.32 | 14.64 |
| Risk & Other Metrics | ||
| Beta | 0.57 | 0.77 |
| Book Value per Share (MRQ) | $40.88 | $24.22 |
Financial Statements Comparison: SJW Group vs Essential Utilities Inc.
Financial Metrics
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Revenue
Operating Margin
Profit Margin
Long Term Debt
Income Flow Analysis
Financial Statements Comparison
Income Statement
| Metric | SJW (2024) | WTRG (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue/Sales | 748.44M | 2.47B |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 323.32M | 1.04B |
| COGS % of Revenue | 43.2% | 42.2% |
| Gross Profit | 425.12M | 1.43B |
| Gross Margin | 56.8% | 57.8% |
| Research & Development | N/A | N/A |
| Operating Income (EBIT) | 170.50M | 920.95M |
| Operating Margin | 22.8% | 37.2% |
| EBITDA | 289.38M | 1.34B |
| EBITDA Margin | 38.7% | 54.1% |
| Pre-Tax Income | 102.94M | 619.81M |
| Pre-Tax Income % of Revenue | 13.8% | 25.0% |
| Income Tax | 8.97M | 3.45M |
| Income Tax % of Revenue | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| Net Income (Profit) | 93.97M | 616.37M |
| Profit Margin | 12.6% | 24.9% |
Balance Sheet & Liquidity Metrics
| Metric | SJW (2024) | WTRG (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Cash & Equivalents | 11.11M | 34.78M |
| Total Current Assets | 190.71M | 610.40M |
| Total Current Assets % of Revenue | 25.5% | 24.7% |
| Total Current Liabilities | 261.17M | 764.48M |
| Total Current Liabilities % of Revenue | 34.9% | 30.9% |
| Long-Term Debt | 1.71B | 8.13B |
| Long-Term Debt % of Revenue | 228.1% | 328.6% |
| Total Shareholders Equity | 1.37B | 6.86B |
| Retained Earnings | 537.18M | 2.28B |
| Retained Earnings % of Revenue | 71.8% | 92.2% |
| Property, Plant & Equipment | 4.29B | 2.12B |
Cash Flow Statement Comparison
| Metric | SJW (2024) | WTRG (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Cash Flow | 194.32M | 975.26M |
| Operating Cash Flow % of Revenue | 26.0% | 39.4% |
| Capital Expenditures | -380.64M | -1.43B |
| Free Cash Flow | -185.11M | -419.52M |
| FCF Margin | -24.7% | -17.0% |
| Debt Repayment | -344.24M | -1.32B |
| Common Stock Repurchase | N/A | -2.28M |
Short Interest & Institutional Ownership Analysis
| Metric | SJW | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Shares Short | 569,988 | 4.26M |
| Short Ratio | 1.87 | 2.24 |
| Short % of Float | 2.06% | 1.72% |
| Shares Outstanding | 33.63M | 283.08M |
| Float Shares | 31.47M | 282.19M |
| % Held by Insiders | 8.04% | 0.22% |
| % Held by Institutions | 82.93% | 83.07% |
| % Held by Public | 9.03% | 16.71% |
Dividend Analysis & Yield Comparison: SJW Group vs Essential Utilities Inc.
| Metric | SJW | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12-Month Dividend | $1.64 | $1.35 |
| Last 12-Month Dividend Yield | 3.15% | 3.61% |
| 3-Year Avg Annual Dividend | $1.56 | $1.29 |
| 3-Year Avg Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 0.84% |
| 3-Year Total Dividends | $4.68 | $3.87 |
| Ex-Dividend Date | May 12, 2025 | Feb 09, 2026 |