CPK vs SWX

For growth investors, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is the stronger pick with 18.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -62. 0% for Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX). Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX) offers the better valuation at 14. 9x trailing P/E (21. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) a "Buy" — based on 12 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.

On trailing P/E, Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

(SWX) is the cheapest at 14. 9x versus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation at 21. 3x. On forward P/E, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is actually cheaper at 19. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. wins at 2. 67x versus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's 2. 78x.

Over the past 5 years, Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

(SWX) delivered a total return of +46. 5%, compared to +15. 8% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CPK returned +133. 1% versus SWX's +67. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

04β versus Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. 's 0. 06β — meaning SWX is approximately 34% more volatile than CPK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 89% versus 102% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is pulling ahead at 18.

1% versus -62. 0% for Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 120. 3% year-over-year, compared to 13. 5% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CPK leads at 11. 0% 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.

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

(SWX) is the more profitable company, earning 22. 7% net margin versus 15. 1% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation — meaning it keeps 22. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CPK leads at 27. 7% versus 24. 4% for SWX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CPK leads at 31. 6%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 67x versus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's 2. 78x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) trades at 19. 5x forward P/E versus 21. 3x for Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. — 1. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CPK: 11. 8% to $142. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 2. 0% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

04), 2. 0% yield, +133. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CPK: +133. 1%, SWX: +67. 4%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Utilities sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: CPK is a small-cap high-growth stock; SWX is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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.