Latest Ratios: P/E Ratio 21.4x · EV/EBITDA 13.3x · ROE 7.7%. (1996–2025 historical series)
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $2.8B | $2.6B | $2.7B | $3.0B | $3.3B | $3.7B | $2.7B | $2.5B | $2.3B | $2.2B | $1.6B |
| Enterprise Value | $4.3B | $4.1B | $4.0B | $4.1B | $4.4B | $4.7B | $3.8B | $3.4B | $3.1B | $2.9B | $2.3B |
| P/E Ratio → | 21.43 | 20.15 | 13.95 | 57.00 | 34.26 | 36.66 | 27.43 | 39.36 | 35.04 | 29.84 | 33.56 |
| P/S Ratio | 2.76 | 2.58 | 2.56 | 3.72 | 3.89 | 4.69 | 3.35 | 3.48 | 3.28 | 3.26 | 2.67 |
| P/B Ratio | 1.62 | 1.52 | 1.62 | 2.07 | 2.49 | 3.17 | 2.89 | 3.18 | 3.14 | 3.14 | 2.47 |
| P/FCF | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| P/OCF | 9.11 | 8.54 | 9.14 | 13.57 | 13.52 | 16.01 | 22.58 | 14.71 | 12.79 | 14.73 | 10.18 |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 4.15 | 3.86 | 5.18 | 5.14 | 5.98 | 4.77 | 4.81 | 4.47 | 4.33 | 3.70 |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.26 | 12.73 | 11.15 | 20.56 | 17.76 | 19.84 | 15.95 | 18.03 | 15.92 | 16.68 | 15.95 |
| EV / EBIT | 23.80 | 19.42 | 13.80 | 43.61 | 29.81 | 31.90 | 25.14 | 28.18 | 26.10 | 21.79 | 21.68 |
| EV / FCF | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 36.7% | 36.7% | 95.4% | 45.7% | 62.7% | 61.2% | 49.3% | 47.7% | 60.3% | 60.4% | 60.1% |
| Operating Margin | 18.2% | 18.2% | 21.7% | 9.7% | 15.1% | 16.0% | 17.2% | 13.9% | 15.8% | 14.2% | 12.5% |
| Net Profit Margin | 12.8% | 12.8% | 18.4% | 6.5% | 11.3% | 12.8% | 12.2% | 8.8% | 9.4% | 10.1% | 8.0% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | 7.7% | 7.7% | 12.4% | 3.8% | 7.7% | 9.7% | 11.4% | 8.4% | 9.2% | 9.9% | 7.5% |
| ROA | 2.4% | 2.4% | 3.9% | 1.2% | 2.5% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.1% | 2.4% | 2.6% | 2.1% |
| ROIC | 4.4% | 4.4% | 6.1% | 2.3% | 4.2% | 4.5% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 5.6% | 5.3% | 4.6% |
| ROCE | 3.7% | 3.7% | 5.1% | 1.9% | 3.6% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 3.7% | 4.6% | 4.3% | 3.6% |
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.85 | 0.87 | 0.86 | 0.94 | 1.27 | 1.28 | 1.21 | 1.16 | 0.99 |
| Debt / EBITDA | 4.96 | 4.96 | 3.89 | 6.23 | 4.66 | 4.61 | 4.93 | 5.23 | 4.48 | 4.66 | 4.63 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | 0.92 | 0.82 | 0.81 | 0.80 | 0.87 | 1.22 | 1.22 | 1.14 | 1.03 | 0.95 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 4.80 | 4.80 | 3.75 | 5.80 | 4.31 | 4.28 | 4.74 | 5.01 | 4.24 | 4.11 | 4.45 |
| Debt / FCF | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Interest Coverage | 3.20 | 3.20 | 5.04 | 1.90 | 3.29 | 3.43 | 3.60 | 2.96 | 3.16 | 3.91 | 3.41 |
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 0.85 | 0.85 | 0.60 | 0.69 | 1.00 | 1.10 | 0.45 | 0.51 | 0.59 | 0.46 | 0.57 |
| Quick Ratio | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.56 | 0.65 | 0.96 | 1.07 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 0.57 | 0.45 | 0.54 |
| Cash Ratio | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.09 | 0.20 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.08 | 0.12 | 0.15 | 0.19 | 0.10 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 0.18 | 0.20 | 0.17 | 0.21 | 0.22 | 0.23 | 0.22 | 0.25 | 0.24 | 0.25 |
| Inventory Turnover | 31.98 | 31.98 | 2.33 | 26.67 | 25.16 | 32.29 | 45.60 | 48.21 | 42.11 | 40.91 | 38.62 |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.7% | 2.9% | 2.5% | 2.0% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 2.0% |
| Payout Ratio | 57.6% | 57.6% | 34.3% | 113.7% | 56.4% | 46.9% | 43.1% | 60.2% | 55.0% | 51.4% | 68.0% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | 4.7% | 5.0% | 7.2% | 1.8% | 2.9% | 2.7% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 2.9% | 3.4% | 3.0% |
| FCF Yield | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback Yield | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 2.7% | 2.9% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.7% | 2.1% |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $60M | $59M | $57M | $54M | $52M | $49M | $48M | $48M | $48M | $48M |
Includes 30+ ratios · 30 years · Updated daily
Live VCP patterns, Cup & Handle overlays, support/resistance, and AI trade plans.
High-probability breakout stocks crossing their pivot across 5 pattern engines.
DCF models, multiple analysis, and analyst estimates.
10-year return with dividends reinvested.
Compare growth, multiples, and margins vs sector.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CWT stock.
California Water Service Group's current P/E ratio is 21.4x. The historical average is 25.6x. This places it at the 40th percentile of its historical range.
California Water Service Group's current EV/EBITDA is 13.3x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 12.7x.
California Water Service Group's return on equity (ROE) is 7.7%. The historical average is 9.3%.
Based on historical data, California Water Service Group is trading at a P/E of 21.4x. This is at the 40th percentile of its historical P/E range. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
California Water Service Group's current dividend yield is 2.69% with a payout ratio of 57.6%.
California Water Service Group has 36.7% gross margin and 18.2% operating margin. Operating margin between 10-20% is typical for established companies.
California Water Service Group's Debt/EBITDA ratio is 5.0x, indicating high leverage. A ratio above 4x may signal elevated financial risk.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Regulatory lag and PFAS capex
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Premium Multiple Reflects Rate Base Growth
CWT trades at 23.05x trailing earnings, a premium to the water utility peer median of 24.75x, with a 2.5% dividend yield. According to recent SEC filings, this suggests investors are pricing in continued rate base expansion.
The forward P/E of 19.85x implies earnings growth is expected to normalize after the volatile 2026 quarters, but the PEG of 13.06x indicates that the market is not paying for rapid growth. The dividend yield of 2.5% is below the peer average of 2.7%, reflecting the stock's premium valuation. Relative to 10-year Treasuries, the yield spread is narrow, which may limit upside if rates rise.
Earned ROE Trails Authorized Levels
Quarterly ROE averaged 2.1% over the last four quarters, far below the typical authorized ROE of 9-10%. As reported in financial statements, this gap suggests regulatory lag is compressing returns, with 2026Q1 ROE at just 0.2%.
The earned ROE is highly seasonal, peaking in Q3 (3.6% in 2025Q3) and troughing in Q1 (0.2% in 2026Q1), reflecting the timing of rate recovery and cost pass-throughs. The 2024 GRC decision was intended to reset rates, but the persistent gap indicates that either the authorized ROE is being set lower or the company is not fully recovering costs within the year. Investors should monitor whether the CPUC's allowed ROE is sufficient to attract capital for the PFAS-driven capex program.
Operating Margin Volatility Signals Recovery Lag
Operating margin swung from 28.6% in 2026Q2 to 4.4% in 2025Q4, with a four-quarter average of 16.4%. Based on EDBL's reported figures, this volatility suggests that cost recovery mechanisms are not smoothing margins effectively.
The wide swings in operating margin are typical for a utility with decoupling and pass-through mechanisms, but the magnitude is notable. The 2026Q2 margin of 28.6% is above the 2024Q1 level of 28.8%, suggesting some recovery, yet the 2025Q4 trough of 4.4% indicates that timing mismatches in cost recovery can severely depress profitability. This pattern implies that the company's regulatory mechanisms may be less effective than peers, warranting close attention to the GRC implementation.
Leverage Creeps Toward Authorized Ceiling
Debt-to-capital rose from 0.45 in 2024Q3 to 0.49 in 2026Q1, with interest coverage averaging 2.8x over the last four quarters. According to recent SEC filings, this suggests CWT is approaching its regulatory leverage limit.
The debt-to-capital ratio of 0.49 is within the typical utility range of 45-55%, but the upward trend is concerning given the massive capex program. Interest coverage of 4.64x in 2026Q2 is adequate, but the 2026Q1 figure of 1.22x highlights vulnerability during low-earnings quarters. FFO/debt of 5.98% is below the 8% threshold often considered strong, indicating that cash flow generation is not keeping pace with debt accumulation. This may constrain future borrowing capacity and force equity issuance.
Dividend Coverage Thins Amid Capex Surge
Dividend payout averaged 55.9% over the last four quarters, with a low of 4.9% in 2026Q1 and a high of 155.7% in 2025Q4. As reported in financial statements, this volatility suggests coverage is adequate but not robust.
The payout ratio is highly volatile due to seasonal earnings, but the 2025Q4 payout of 155.7% indicates that dividends exceeded earnings in that quarter, funded by cash reserves or debt. The company's 50+ year dividend growth streak is a testament to management's commitment, but the negative free cash flow (cumulative -$557.7M over ten quarters) means dividends are not self-funded from operations. Investors should monitor whether the dividend growth rate can be maintained without increasing leverage beyond regulatory limits.
Misapplied P/E Ignores Regulatory Mechanics
Comparing CWT's P/E to industrial companies is misleading because utility earnings are set by regulators, not market forces. According to recent SEC filings, the P/E of 23.05x is anchored to the allowed ROE, not growth expectations.
The most commonly misapplied ratio for CWT is the P/E ratio, as investors often compare it to the broader market or growth stocks. For utilities, the P/E is a function of the authorized ROE and interest rates, not earnings growth. A more appropriate metric is the price-to-rate base ratio, which compares market value to the invested capital on which returns are earned. Additionally, the reported ROE is distorted by regulatory deferrals and seasonal timing; analysts should use normalized ROE over a full rate case cycle. The current P/E of 23.05x is in line with peers, but the forward P/E of 19.85x suggests the market expects earnings to recover, which hinges on the CPUC's rate decisions.