CPK vs WMB

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

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 13. 8% for The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB). Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) offers the better valuation at 21. 3x trailing P/E (19. 5x 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, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is the cheapest at 21.

3x versus The Williams Companies, Inc. at 34. 1x. On forward P/E, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is actually cheaper at 19. 5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: The Williams Companies, Inc. wins at 0. 47x versus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's 2. 78x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, The Williams Companies, Inc.

(WMB) delivered a total return of +224. 5%, compared to +15. 8% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WMB returned +371. 1% versus CPK's +133. 1%. 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 The Williams Companies, Inc. 's 0. 17β — meaning WMB is approximately 295% more volatile than CPK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 102% versus 196% for The Williams Companies, Inc. — 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 13. 8% for The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: The Williams Companies, Inc. grew EPS 17. 6% 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.

The Williams Companies, Inc.

(WMB) is the more profitable company, earning 21. 9% net margin versus 15. 1% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation — meaning it keeps 21. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WMB leads at 36. 8% versus 27. 7% for CPK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WMB leads at 42. 9%, 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, The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 47x versus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's 2. 78x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) trades at 19. 5x forward P/E versus 31. 2x for The Williams Companies, Inc. — 11. 7x 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.

The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 2. 0% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK).

For long-horizon retirement investors, The Williams Companies, Inc.

(WMB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 17), 2. 7% yield, +371. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (WMB: +371. 1%, CPK: +133. 1%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (CPK (Utilities) and WMB (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CPK is a small-cap high-growth stock; WMB is a mid-cap quality compounder 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.