Industrial - Machinery
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WTS vs LIQT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Industrial - Pollution & Treatment Controls
WTS vs LIQT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Machinery | Industrial - Pollution & Treatment Controls |
| Market Cap | $9.91B | $22M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.56B | $17M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $366M | $-9M |
| Gross Margin | 49.2% | 4.9% |
| Operating Margin | 19.4% | -50.0% |
| Forward P/E | 24.9x | — |
| Total Debt | $198M | $12M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $406M | — |
WTS vs LIQT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watts Water Technol… (WTS) | 100 | 357.0 | +257.0% |
| LiqTech Internation… (LIQT) | 100 | 4.6 | -95.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WTS vs LIQT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
WTS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding.
- 457.2% 10Y total return vs LIQT's -91.0%
- 14.3% margin vs LIQT's -53.3%
- 0.7% yield; 14-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend
LIQT is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.54
- Rev growth 13.0%, EPS growth 45.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 1.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.54
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 13.0% revenue growth vs WTS's 8.3% | |
| Quality / Margins | 14.3% margin vs LIQT's -53.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.54 vs WTS's 0.92 | |
| Dividends | 0.7% yield; 14-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +61.0% vs WTS's +27.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 13.1% ROA vs LIQT's -29.5%, ROIC 21.2% vs -31.1% |
WTS vs LIQT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
WTS vs LIQT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WTS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WTS is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.6B annually — 152.4x LIQT's $17M. WTS is the more profitable business, keeping 14.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LIQT's -53.3%. On growth, LIQT holds the edge at +53.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.6B | $17M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $553M | -$6M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $366M | -$9M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $317M | -$7M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +49.2% | +4.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +19.4% | -50.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +14.3% | -53.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +12.4% | -39.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +21.4% | +53.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +34.4% | +69.4% |
Valuation Metrics
LIQT leads this category, winning 3 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $9.9B | $22M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $9.7B | $34M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 29.19x | -2.55x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 24.95x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.18x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 18.36x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.07x | 1.32x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.91x | 2.10x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.83x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
WTS leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WTS delivers a 18.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $-70 for LIQT. WTS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.10x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LIQT's 1.17x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WTS scores 7/9 vs LIQT's 2/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +18.4% | -70.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +13.1% | -29.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +21.2% | -31.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +21.7% | — |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.10x | 1.17x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$208M | $12M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $406M | — |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $198M | $12M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 46.73x | -13.46x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WTS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WTS five years ago would be worth $21,899 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $392 for LIQT. Over the past 12 months, LIQT leads with a +61.0% total return vs WTS's +27.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WTS at 21.1% vs LIQT's -12.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +6.8% | +52.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +27.2% | +61.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +77.6% | -32.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +119.0% | -96.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +457.2% | -91.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +21.1% | -12.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — WTS and LIQT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LIQT is the less volatile stock with a 0.54 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WTS's 0.92 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WTS currently trades 86.0% from its 52-week high vs LIQT's 67.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.92x | 0.54x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $345.17 | $3.35 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $221.04 | $1.30 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +86.0% | +67.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.8 | 61.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 212K | 50K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
WTS is the only dividend payer here at 0.67% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $343.10 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 23 | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.7% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 14 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.00 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | 0.0% |
WTS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). LIQT leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
WTS vs LIQT: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WTS or LIQT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, LiqTech International, Inc.
(LIQT) is the stronger pick with 13. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 3% for Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS). Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) offers the better valuation at 29. 2x trailing P/E (24. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) a "Hold" — based on 23 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — WTS or LIQT?
Over the past 5 years, Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
(WTS) delivered a total return of +119. 0%, compared to -96. 1% for LiqTech International, Inc. (LIQT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WTS returned +457. 2% versus LIQT's -91. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — WTS or LIQT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), LiqTech International, Inc.
(LIQT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 54β versus Watts Water Technologies, Inc. 's 0. 92β — meaning WTS is approximately 71% more volatile than LIQT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 10% versus 117% for LiqTech International, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — WTS or LIQT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), LiqTech International, Inc.
(LIQT) is pulling ahead at 13. 0% versus 8. 3% for Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LiqTech International, Inc. grew EPS 45. 7% year-over-year, compared to 17. 0% for Watts Water Technologies, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WTS leads at 7. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — WTS or LIQT?
Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
(WTS) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 0% net margin versus -51. 7% for LiqTech International, Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WTS leads at 19. 3% versus -50. 3% for LIQT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WTS leads at 49. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — WTS or LIQT?
In this comparison, WTS (0.
7% yield) pays a dividend. LIQT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is WTS or LIQT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
(WTS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 92), 0. 7% yield, +457. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (WTS: +457. 2%, LIQT: -91. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between WTS and LIQT?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
WTS pays a dividend while LIQT does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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