NWE
Northwestern Energy Group Inc
Diversified Utilities
Market Cap$4.37B
5Y Perf.+18.2%
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Stock Comparison
NWE vs AVA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AVA
Avista Corporation
Diversified Utilities
Market Cap$3.35B
5Y Perf.+3.6%
NWE vs AVA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | NWE | AVA |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Diversified Utilities | Diversified Utilities |
| Market Cap | $4.37B | $3.35B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.64B | $1.96B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $168M | $193M |
| Gross Margin | 61.9% | 54.6% |
| Operating Margin | 19.2% | 18.0% |
| Forward P/E | 18.9x | 15.8x |
| Total Debt | $3.29B | $3.38B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $9M | $19M |
NWE vs AVA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NWE
AVA
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Energy… (NWE) | 100 | 118.2 | +18.2% |
| Avista Corporation (AVA) | 100 | 103.6 | +3.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NWE vs AVA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: NWE leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Avista Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
NWE
Northwestern Energy Group Inc
The Growth Play
NWE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 6.4%, EPS growth -19.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.9%
- 63.9% 10Y total return vs AVA's 39.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.24, current ratio 0.72x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
AVA
Avista Corporation
The Income Pick
AVA is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 22 yrs, beta -0.00, yield 4.8%
- Beta -0.00, yield 4.8%, current ratio 0.83x
- Lower P/E (15.8x vs 18.9x)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NWE | 6.4% revenue growth vs AVA's 1.3% |
| Value | AVA | Lower P/E (15.8x vs 18.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | NWE | 10.2% margin vs AVA's 9.8% |
| Stability / Safety | NWE | Lower D/E ratio (113.9% vs 124.6%) |
| Dividends | AVA | 4.8% yield, 22-year raise streak, vs NWE's 3.7% |
| Momentum (1Y) | NWE | +27.0% vs AVA's +1.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AVA | 2.4% ROA vs NWE's 2.0%, ROIC 4.5% vs 4.0% |
NWE vs AVA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
NWE vs AVA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAVALAGGINGNWE
NWENorthwestern Energy G…
2leads
AVAAvista Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NWEMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NWE4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
AVA5/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
AVA5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
NWE6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
AVA2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NWE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AVA and NWE operate at a comparable scale, with $2.0B and $1.6B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 10.2% (NWE) to 9.8% (AVA). On growth, NWE holds the edge at +6.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NWENorthwestern Ener… | AVAAvista Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.6B | $2.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $569M | $643M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $168M | $193M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$148M | $469M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +61.9% | +54.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +19.2% | +18.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.2% | +9.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -9.0% | +23.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.6% | +0.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -17.6% | +3.6% |
NWE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
AVA leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 17.1x trailing earnings, AVA trades at a 29% valuation discount to NWE's 24.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, AVA's 10.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NWE's 13.3x.
| Metric | NWENorthwestern Ener… | AVAAvista Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4.4B | $3.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.7B | $6.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 24.18x | 17.05x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 18.95x | 15.83x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 3.70x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.30x | 10.43x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.71x | 1.71x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.51x | 1.21x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
AVA leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AVA leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AVA delivers a 7.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $7 in annual profit, vs $6 for NWE. NWE carries lower financial leverage with a 1.14x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AVA's 1.25x.
| Metric | NWENorthwestern Ener… | AVAAvista Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +5.8% | +7.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.0% | +2.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.0% | +4.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.4% | +4.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.14x | 1.25x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.3B | $3.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $9M | $19M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.3B | $3.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.25x | 2.47x |
AVA leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NWE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NWE five years ago would be worth $12,256 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,560 for AVA. Over the past 12 months, NWE leads with a +27.0% total return vs AVA's +1.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NWE at 9.8% vs AVA's 1.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NWENorthwestern Ener… | AVAAvista Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +10.8% | +6.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +27.0% | +1.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +32.4% | +4.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +22.6% | +5.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +63.9% | +39.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +9.8% | +1.4% |
NWE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — NWE and AVA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AVA is the less volatile stock with a -0.00 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NWE's 0.24 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | NWENorthwestern Ener… | AVAAvista Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.24x | -0.00x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $75.18 | $43.49 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $50.46 | $35.50 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.5% | +93.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.4 | 50.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 459K | 559K |
Evenly matched — NWE and AVA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
AVA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NWE as "Hold" and AVA as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 0.2% upside for AVA (target: $41) vs -6.7% for NWE (target: $66). For income investors, AVA offers the higher dividend yield at 4.83% vs NWE's 3.70%.
| Metric | NWENorthwestern Ener… | AVAAvista Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $66.33 | $40.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 18 | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.7% | +4.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 20 | 22 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.63 | $1.96 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
AVA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
AVA leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). NWE leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallAvista Corporation (AVA)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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NWE vs AVA: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NWE or AVA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) is the stronger pick with 6.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 3% for Avista Corporation (AVA). Avista Corporation (AVA) offers the better valuation at 17. 1x trailing P/E (15. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) a "Hold" — based on 18 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 — NWE or AVA?
On trailing P/E, Avista Corporation (AVA) is the cheapest at 17.
1x versus Northwestern Energy Group Inc at 24. 2x. On forward P/E, Avista Corporation is actually cheaper at 15. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NWE or AVA?
Over the past 5 years, Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) delivered a total return of +22.
6%, compared to +5. 6% for Avista Corporation (AVA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NWE returned +63. 9% versus AVA's +39. 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 — NWE or AVA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Avista Corporation (AVA) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
00β versus Northwestern Energy Group Inc's 0. 24β — meaning NWE is approximately -8040% more volatile than AVA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 114% versus 125% for Avista Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NWE or AVA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) is pulling ahead at 6.
4% versus 1. 3% for Avista Corporation (AVA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Avista Corporation grew EPS 4. 4% year-over-year, compared to -19. 5% for Northwestern Energy Group Inc. Over a 3-year CAGR, AVA leads at 4. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — NWE or AVA?
Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE) is the more profitable company, earning 11.
2% net margin versus 9. 8% for Avista Corporation — 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 18. 0% for AVA. 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 NWE or AVA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Avista Corporation (AVA) trades at 15.
8x forward P/E versus 18. 9x for Northwestern Energy Group Inc — 3. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AVA: 0. 2% to $40. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — NWE or AVA?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Avista Corporation (AVA) offers the highest yield at 4. 8%, versus 3. 7% for Northwestern Energy Group Inc (NWE).
09Is NWE or AVA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Avista Corporation (AVA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
00), 4. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AVA: +39. 6%, NWE: +63. 9%), 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 NWE and AVA?
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: NWE is a small-cap income-oriented stock; AVA is a small-cap deep-value 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>
%
(NWE: 6.6% · AVA: 0.0%)Net Margin>
%
(NWE: 10.2% · AVA: 9.8%)P/E Ratio<
x
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