GWRS vs NEE vs ITRI vs DUK

For growth investors, NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is the stronger pick with 11. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 0% for Itron, Inc. (ITRI). Itron, Inc. (ITRI) offers the better valuation at 12. 7x trailing P/E (13. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Global Water Resources, Inc. (GWRS) a "Buy" — based on 4 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, Itron, Inc.

(ITRI) is the cheapest at 12. 7x versus Global Water Resources, Inc. at 63. 7x. On forward P/E, Itron, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Duke Energy Corporation wins at 0. 63x versus Global Water Resources, Inc. 's 2. 96x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) delivered a total return of +45.

2%, compared to -48. 4% for Global Water Resources, Inc. (GWRS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NEE returned +274. 2% 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.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

24β versus Itron, Inc. 's 1. 53β — meaning ITRI is approximately -725% more volatile than DUK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Global Water Resources, Inc. (GWRS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 171% for Duke Energy Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is pulling ahead at 11. 0% versus -3. 0% for Itron, Inc. (ITRI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Itron, Inc. grew EPS 25. 7% year-over-year, compared to -54. 2% for Global Water Resources, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ITRI leads at 9. 7% 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.

NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is the more profitable company, earning 24. 9% net margin versus 5. 3% for Global Water Resources, Inc. — meaning it keeps 24. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NEE leads at 30. 1% versus 12. 8% for GWRS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NEE leads at 62. 8%, 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, Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 63x versus Global Water Resources, Inc. 's 2. 96x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Itron, Inc. (ITRI) trades at 13. 8x forward P/E versus 51. 9x for Global Water Resources, Inc. — 38. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GWRS: 78. 3% to $12. 50.

In this comparison, GWRS (4.

3% yield), DUK (3. 4% yield), NEE (2. 3% yield) pay a dividend. ITRI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

24), 3. 4% yield, +106. 8% 10Y return). Itron, Inc. (ITRI) carries a higher beta of 1. 53 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (DUK: +106. 8%, ITRI: +97. 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 (GWRS (Utilities) and NEE (Utilities) and ITRI (Technology) and DUK (Utilities)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: GWRS is a small-cap income-oriented stock; NEE is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; ITRI is a small-cap deep-value stock; DUK is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. GWRS, NEE, DUK pay a dividend while ITRI 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.