MDU
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
Conglomerates
Market Cap$4.60B
5Y Perf.+171.7%
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Stock Comparison
MDU vs NWE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
NWE
Northwestern Energy Group Inc
Diversified Utilities
Market Cap$4.45B
5Y Perf.+20.4%
MDU vs NWE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MDU | NWE |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Conglomerates | Diversified Utilities |
| Market Cap | $4.60B | $4.45B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.81B | $1.64B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $189M | $168M |
| Gross Margin | 47.0% | 61.9% |
| Operating Margin | 16.2% | 19.2% |
| Forward P/E | 22.9x | 19.3x |
| Total Debt | $2.74B | $3.29B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $28M | $9M |
MDU vs NWE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MDU
NWE
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDU Resources Group… (MDU) | 100 | 271.7 | +171.7% |
| Northwestern Energy… (NWE) | 100 | 120.4 | +20.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MDU vs NWE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MDU leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Northwestern Energy Group Inc is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
MDU
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
The Growth Play
MDU carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 6.7%, EPS growth -32.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.4%
- 227.8% 10Y total return vs NWE's 65.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.38, Low D/E 98.8%, current ratio 0.84x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
NWE
Northwestern Energy Group Inc
The Income Pick
NWE is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 20 yrs, beta 0.24, yield 3.6%
- Beta 0.24, yield 3.6%, current ratio 0.72x
- Lower P/E (19.3x vs 22.9x)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MDU | 6.7% revenue growth vs NWE's 6.4% |
| Value | NWE | Lower P/E (19.3x vs 22.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | MDU | 10.5% margin vs NWE's 10.2% |
| Stability / Safety | NWE | Beta 0.24 vs MDU's 0.38 |
| Dividends | NWE | 3.6% yield, 20-year raise streak, vs MDU's 2.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MDU | +30.7% vs NWE's +30.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MDU | 2.6% ROA vs NWE's 2.0%, ROIC 4.2% vs 4.0% |
MDU vs NWE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
MDU vs NWE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLNWELAGGINGMDU
MDUMDU Resources Group, …
2leads
NWENorthwestern Energy G…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MDUMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NWE4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
NWE3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MDU6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MDU6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
NWE2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NWE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MDU and NWE operate at a comparable scale, with $1.8B and $1.6B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 10.5% (MDU) to 10.2% (NWE). On growth, NWE holds the edge at +6.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | MDUMDU Resources Gro… | NWENorthwestern Ener… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.8B | $1.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $503M | $569M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $189M | $168M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$294M | -$148M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +47.0% | +61.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +16.2% | +19.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.5% | +10.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -16.3% | -9.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -10.2% | +6.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.5% | -17.6% |
NWE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
NWE leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 24.2x trailing earnings, MDU trades at a 2% valuation discount to NWE's 24.6x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, NWE's 13.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MDU's 14.7x.
| Metric | MDUMDU Resources Gro… | NWENorthwestern Ener… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4.6B | $4.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.3B | $7.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 24.16x | 24.63x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 22.93x | 19.30x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 14.71x | 13.44x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.45x | 2.77x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.66x | 1.54x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
NWE leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MDU leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MDU delivers a 6.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $7 in annual profit, vs $6 for NWE. MDU carries lower financial leverage with a 0.99x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NWE's 1.14x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NWE scores 5/9 vs MDU's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | MDUMDU Resources Gro… | NWENorthwestern Ener… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.8% | +5.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.6% | +2.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.2% | +4.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.3% | +4.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.99x | 1.14x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.7B | $3.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $28M | $9M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.7B | $3.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.77x | 2.25x |
MDU leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MDU leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MDU five years ago would be worth $18,607 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,586 for NWE. Over the past 12 months, MDU leads with a +30.7% total return vs NWE's +30.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MDU at 29.3% vs NWE's 10.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MDUMDU Resources Gro… | NWENorthwestern Ener… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +13.8% | +12.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +30.7% | +30.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +116.3% | +34.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +86.1% | +25.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +227.8% | +65.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +29.3% | +10.4% |
MDU leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MDU and NWE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NWE is the less volatile stock with a 0.24 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MDU's 0.38 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | MDUMDU Resources Gro… | NWENorthwestern Ener… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.38x | 0.24x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $22.83 | $75.18 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $15.76 | $50.46 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.4% | +96.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.4 | 51.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.5M | 462K |
Evenly matched — MDU and NWE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
NWE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MDU as "Buy" and NWE as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply -6.5% upside for MDU (target: $21) vs -8.4% for NWE (target: $66). For income investors, NWE offers the higher dividend yield at 3.63% vs MDU's 2.35%.
| Metric | MDUMDU Resources Gro… | NWENorthwestern Ener… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $21.00 | $66.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 17 | 18 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.3% | +3.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 20 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.53 | $2.63 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
NWE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
NWE leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). MDU leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallNorthwestern Energy Group I… (NWE)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MDU vs NWE: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MDU or NWE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, MDU Resources Group, Inc.
(MDU) is the stronger pick with 6. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 4% for Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE). MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) offers the better valuation at 24. 2x trailing P/E (22. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) a "Buy" — based on 17 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 — MDU or NWE?
On trailing P/E, MDU Resources Group, Inc.
(MDU) is the cheapest at 24. 2x versus Northwestern Energy Group Inc at 24. 6x. On forward P/E, Northwestern Energy Group Inc is actually cheaper at 19. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MDU or NWE?
Over the past 5 years, MDU Resources Group, Inc.
(MDU) delivered a total return of +86. 1%, compared to +25. 9% for Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MDU returned +227. 8% versus NWE's +65. 7%. 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 — MDU or NWE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
24β versus MDU Resources Group, Inc. 's 0. 38β — meaning MDU is approximately 61% more volatile than NWE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 99% versus 114% for Northwestern Energy Group Inc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MDU or NWE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), MDU Resources Group, Inc.
(MDU) is pulling ahead at 6. 7% versus 6. 4% for Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Northwestern Energy Group Inc grew EPS -19. 5% year-over-year, compared to -32. 1% for MDU Resources Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NWE leads at 2. 9% 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 — MDU or NWE?
Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) is the more profitable company, earning 11.
2% net margin versus 10. 2% for MDU Resources Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NWE leads at 20. 2% versus 15. 5% for MDU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NWE leads at 82. 3%, 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 MDU or NWE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) trades at 19.
3x forward P/E versus 22. 9x for MDU Resources Group, Inc. — 3. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MDU: -6. 5% to $21. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — MDU or NWE?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) offers the highest yield at 3. 6%, versus 2. 3% for MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU).
09Is MDU or NWE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) 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. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NWE: +65. 7%, MDU: +227. 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 MDU and NWE?
These companies operate in different sectors (MDU (Industrials) and NWE (Utilities)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: MDU is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NWE is a small-cap income-oriented 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>
%
(MDU: -10.2% · NWE: 6.6%)Net Margin>
%
(MDU: 10.5% · NWE: 10.2%)P/E Ratio<
x
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