Regulated Water
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CWCO vs GWRS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Regulated Water
CWCO vs GWRS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Regulated Water | Regulated Water |
| Market Cap | $527M | $202M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $132M | $56M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $18M | $3M |
| Gross Margin | 36.6% | 92.8% |
| Operating Margin | 139015.1% | 12.8% |
| Forward P/E | 31.5x | 51.9x |
| Total Debt | $708.60B | $8M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $123.79T | $4M |
CWCO vs GWRS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Water … (CWCO) | 100 | 222.9 | +122.9% |
| Global Water Resour… (GWRS) | 100 | 65.2 | -34.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CWCO vs GWRS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CWCO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 152.8% 10Y total return vs GWRS's 40.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.76, Low D/E 0.3%, current ratio 6.12x
- Beta 0.76, yield 100.0%, current ratio 6.12x
GWRS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 0.71, yield 4.3%
- Rev growth 5.8%, EPS growth -54.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 7.6%
- 5.8% revenue growth vs CWCO's -1.4%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5.8% revenue growth vs CWCO's -1.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (31.5x vs 51.9x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 13.9% margin vs GWRS's 5.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.71 vs CWCO's 0.76 | |
| Dividends | 100.0% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs GWRS's 4.3% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +44.5% vs GWRS's -29.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 0.6% ROA vs CWCO's 0.0%, ROIC 4.2% vs 26.6% |
CWCO vs GWRS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CWCO vs GWRS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CWCO leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CWCO is the larger business by revenue, generating $132M annually — 2.4x GWRS's $56M. CWCO is the more profitable business, keeping 13.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to GWRS's 5.3%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $132M | $56M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $25.98T | $23M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $18M | $3M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $33.67T | -$55M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +36.6% | +92.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +139015.1% | +12.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.9% | +5.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +254916.5% | -99.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.4% | +2.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -11.5% | -3.0% |
Valuation Metrics
CWCO leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $527M | $202M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | -$123.08T | $205M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | — | 63.73x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 31.49x | 51.93x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 3.63x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | -4.74x | 9.11x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.99x | 3.61x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.00x | 2.19x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 0.00x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
CWCO leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GWRS delivers a 3.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $4 in annual profit, vs $0 for CWCO. CWCO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GWRS's 0.09x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CWCO scores 5/9 vs GWRS's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | 0.0% | +3.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | 0.0% | +0.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +26.6% | +4.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +16.0% | +1.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.09x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$123.08T | $4M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $123.79T | $4M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $708.6B | $8M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 1.20x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CWCO leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CWCO five years ago would be worth $29,492 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,156 for GWRS. Over the past 12 months, CWCO leads with a +44.5% total return vs GWRS's -29.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CWCO at 26.1% vs GWRS's -10.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -4.3% | -15.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +44.5% | -29.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +100.7% | -29.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +194.9% | -48.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +152.8% | +40.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +26.1% | -10.9% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CWCO and GWRS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GWRS is the less volatile stock with a 0.71 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CWCO's 0.76 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CWCO currently trades 84.5% from its 52-week high vs GWRS's 62.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.76x | 0.71x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $39.12 | $11.17 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.69 | $6.96 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.5% | +62.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.8 | 31.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 162K | 80K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CWCO and GWRS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CWCO as "Buy" and GWRS as "Buy". For income investors, CWCO offers the higher dividend yield at 100.00% vs GWRS's 4.32%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $12.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 4 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +100.0% | +4.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $497756.41 | $0.30 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
CWCO leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 2 categories are tied.
CWCO vs GWRS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CWCO or GWRS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Global Water Resources, Inc.
(GWRS) is the stronger pick with 5. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 4% for Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO). Global Water Resources, Inc. (GWRS) offers the better valuation at 63. 7x trailing P/E (51. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO) a "Buy" — based on 6 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 has the better valuation — CWCO or GWRS?
On forward P/E, Consolidated Water Co.
Ltd. is actually cheaper at 31. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CWCO or GWRS?
Over the past 5 years, Consolidated Water Co.
Ltd. (CWCO) delivered a total return of +194. 9%, compared to -48. 4% for Global Water Resources, Inc. (GWRS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CWCO returned +152. 8% versus GWRS's +40. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CWCO or GWRS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Global Water Resources, Inc.
(GWRS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 71β versus Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. 's 0. 76β — meaning CWCO is approximately 8% more volatile than GWRS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 9% for Global Water Resources, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CWCO or GWRS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Global Water Resources, Inc.
(GWRS) is pulling ahead at 5. 8% versus -1. 4% for Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Global Water Resources, Inc. grew EPS -54. 2% year-over-year, compared to -100. 0% for Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CWCO leads at 12. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — CWCO or GWRS?
Consolidated Water Co.
Ltd. (CWCO) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 9% net margin versus 5. 3% for Global Water Resources, Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CWCO leads at 139015% versus 12. 8% for GWRS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GWRS leads at 44. 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.
07Is CWCO or GWRS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Consolidated Water Co.
Ltd. (CWCO) trades at 31. 5x forward P/E versus 51. 9x for Global Water Resources, Inc. — 20. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CWCO or GWRS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO) offers the highest yield at 100. 0%, versus 4. 3% for Global Water Resources, Inc. (GWRS).
09Is CWCO or GWRS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Consolidated Water Co.
Ltd. (CWCO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 76), 100. 0% yield, +152. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CWCO: +152. 8%, GWRS: +40. 8%), 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.
10What are the main differences between CWCO and GWRS?
Both stocks operate in the Utilities sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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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