CWCO
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.
Regulated Water
Market Cap$527M
5Y Perf.+122.9%
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Stock Comparison
CWCO vs MSEX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MSEX
Middlesex Water Company
Regulated Water
Market Cap$950M
5Y Perf.-24.6%
CWCO vs MSEX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CWCO | MSEX |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Regulated Water | Regulated Water |
| Market Cap | $527M | $950M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $132M | $199M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $18M | $44M |
| Gross Margin | 36.6% | 33.3% |
| Operating Margin | 139015.1% | 28.1% |
| Forward P/E | 31.5x | 20.0x |
| Total Debt | $708.60B | $419M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $123.79T | $3M |
CWCO vs MSEX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CWCO
MSEX
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Water … (CWCO) | 100 | 222.9 | +122.9% |
| Middlesex Water Com… (MSEX) | 100 | 75.4 | -24.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CWCO vs MSEX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MSEX leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CWCO
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.
The Income Pick
CWCO is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.76, yield 100.0%
- 152.8% 10Y total return vs MSEX's 63.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.76, Low D/E 0.3%, current ratio 6.12x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
MSEX
Middlesex Water Company
The Growth Play
MSEX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 1.5%, EPS growth -4.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.2%
- 1.5% revenue growth vs CWCO's -1.4%
- Lower P/E (20.0x vs 31.5x)
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MSEX | 1.5% revenue growth vs CWCO's -1.4% |
| Value | MSEX | Lower P/E (20.0x vs 31.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | MSEX | 22.1% margin vs CWCO's 13.9% |
| Stability / Safety | CWCO | Lower D/E ratio (0.3% vs 84.9%) |
| Dividends | CWCO | 100.0% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs MSEX's 2.7% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CWCO | +44.5% vs MSEX's -14.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MSEX | 3.2% ROA vs CWCO's 0.0%, ROIC 4.7% vs 26.6% |
CWCO vs MSEX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2020
CWCO vs MSEX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCWCOLAGGINGMSEX
MSEXMiddlesex Water Compa…
0leads
CWCOConsolidated Water Co…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MSEXMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CWCO3/4
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CWCO5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CWCO5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — CWCO and MSEX each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MSEX is the larger business by revenue, generating $199M annually — 1.5x CWCO's $132M. MSEX is the more profitable business, keeping 22.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CWCO's 13.9%. On growth, MSEX holds the edge at +10.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CWCOConsolidated Wate… | MSEXMiddlesex Water C… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $132M | $199M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $25.98T | $81M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $18M | $44M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $33.67T | -$19M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +36.6% | +33.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +139015.1% | +28.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.9% | +22.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +254916.5% | -9.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.4% | +10.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -11.5% | -100.0% |
Evenly matched — CWCO and MSEX each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CWCO leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CWCOConsolidated Wate… | MSEXMiddlesex Water C… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $527M | $950M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | -$123.08T | $1.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | — | 21.67x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 31.49x | 20.02x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 13.55x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | -4.74x | 15.73x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.99x | 4.88x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.00x | 1.88x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 0.00x | — |
CWCO leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CWCO leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MSEX delivers a 9.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 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 MSEX's 0.85x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CWCO scores 5/9 vs MSEX's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | CWCOConsolidated Wate… | MSEXMiddlesex Water C… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | 0.0% | +9.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | 0.0% | +3.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +26.6% | +4.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +16.0% | +4.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.85x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$123.08T | $416M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $123.79T | $3M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $708.6B | $419M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 4.33x |
CWCO leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CWCO leads this category, winning 5 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 $7,192 for MSEX. Over the past 12 months, CWCO leads with a +44.5% total return vs MSEX's -14.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CWCO at 26.1% vs MSEX's -9.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CWCOConsolidated Wate… | MSEXMiddlesex Water C… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -4.3% | +2.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +44.5% | -14.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +100.7% | -25.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +194.9% | -28.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +152.8% | +63.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +26.1% | -9.4% |
CWCO leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CWCO and MSEX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MSEX is the less volatile stock with a -0.12 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.
| Metric | CWCOConsolidated Wate… | MSEXMiddlesex Water C… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.76x | -0.12x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $39.12 | $62.18 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.69 | $44.17 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.5% | +82.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.8 | 42.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 162K | 159K |
Evenly matched — CWCO and MSEX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CWCO and MSEX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CWCO as "Buy" and MSEX as "Buy". For income investors, CWCO offers the higher dividend yield at 100.00% vs MSEX's 2.68%.
| Metric | CWCOConsolidated Wate… | MSEXMiddlesex Water C… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $53.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 4 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +100.0% | +2.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 21 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $497756.41 | $1.37 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — CWCO and MSEX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CWCO leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Valuation Metrics and Profitability & Efficiency. 3 categories are tied.
Best OverallConsolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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CWCO vs MSEX: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CWCO or MSEX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) is the stronger pick with 1.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 4% for Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO). Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) offers the better valuation at 21. 7x trailing P/E (20. 0x 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 MSEX?
On forward P/E, Middlesex Water Company is actually cheaper at 20.
0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CWCO or MSEX?
Over the past 5 years, Consolidated Water Co.
Ltd. (CWCO) delivered a total return of +194. 9%, compared to -28. 1% for Middlesex Water Company (MSEX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CWCO returned +152. 8% versus MSEX's +63. 6%. 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 MSEX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
12β versus Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. 's 0. 76β — meaning CWCO is approximately -712% more volatile than MSEX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 85% for Middlesex Water Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CWCO or MSEX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) is pulling ahead at 1.
5% versus -1. 4% for Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Middlesex Water Company grew EPS -4. 5% 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 MSEX?
Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) is the more profitable company, earning 22.
0% net margin versus 13. 9% for Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. — meaning it keeps 22. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CWCO leads at 139015% versus 27. 9% for MSEX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MSEX leads at 39. 2%, 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 MSEX more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) trades at 20.
0x forward P/E versus 31. 5x for Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. — 11. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CWCO or MSEX?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO) offers the highest yield at 100. 0%, versus 2. 7% for Middlesex Water Company (MSEX).
09Is CWCO or MSEX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
12), 2. 7% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSEX: +63. 6%, CWCO: +152. 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 MSEX?
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: CWCO is a small-cap income-oriented stock; MSEX is a small-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.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(CWCO: 4.4% · MSEX: 10.0%)Net Margin>
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