Reviewing Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA) & Crane NXT (NYSE:CXT)
based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and risk. Both companies are mid-cap business services companies, but Crane NXT is the better stock.
Which is the best stock? We will compare these two companies based on their profitability, risk, and analyst recommendations.
Value and Earnings
This table compares the gross revenue of Crane NXT with Mueller Water Products, as well as their earnings per share and valuation.
Gross Revenue
Price/Sales Ratio
Net Income
Earnings per Share
Price to Earnings Ratio
Crane NXT
$3.37 billion
0.82
$401.10 Million
$7.55
6.51
Mueller Water Products
$1.29 billion
1.64
$76.60 Million
$0.51
26.53
Crane NXT's revenue and earnings are higher than Mueller Water Products. Crane NXT trades at a lower Price-to-Earnings Ratio than Mueller Water Products. This indicates that it's currently the cheaper of the two stocks.
Insiders and Institutional Ownership
Investors in the form of institutions hold 70.8% Crane NXT's shares. Mueller Water Products is held by institutional investors in a similar proportion (88.8%). Insiders own 2.4% of Crane NXT. Insiders own 1.7% of Mueller Water Products. A stock with a high level of institutional ownership indicates that hedge funds and large money managers, as well as endowments, believe it will outperform its market in the long run.
Dividends
Crane NXT has a dividend yield 3.8% and pays an annual dividend per share of $1.88. Mueller Water Products pays a $0.24 annual dividend per share with a dividend yield 1.8%. Crane NXT distributes 24.9% its earnings as a dividend. Mueller Water Products distributes 47.1% its earnings as a dividend. Both companies have good payout ratios, and they should be able cover their dividends with earnings over the next few years. Mueller Water Products' dividend has been increasing for eight consecutive years. Crane NXT has a higher dividend yield and lower payout rate, making it the clear winner.
Profitability
This table compares the net margins of Mueller Water Products and Crane NXT, as well as their return on equity.
Net Margins
Return on Equity
Return on Assets
Crane NXT
13.10%
24.45%
10.14%
Mueller Water Products
6.18%
13.00%
5.99%
Analyst Recommendations
MarketBeat.com has provided a list of ratings and recommendations for Crane NXT, and Mueller Water Products.
Sell Ratings
Hold Ratings
Buy Ratings
Strong Buy Ratings
Rating Score
Crane NXT
0
0
1
0
3.00
Mueller Water Products
0
4
1
0
2.20
Mueller Water Products' consensus price target is $12.67. This suggests a possible downside of 6.38%. Analysts clearly prefer Mueller Water Products over Crane NXT because of its higher potential upside.
Volatility, Risk and Cost
Crane NXT's beta is 1.49. This means that its stock price is 49% volatile than the S&P 500. Mueller Water Products, on the other hand, has a beta value of 1.31. This means that its stock price is 31% volatile compared to S&P 500.
You can read more about it here:
Crane NXT is better than Mueller Water Products in 11 out of 16 factors.
Crane NXT:
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Crane NXT Co. manages a subsidiary that manufactures aerospace equipment, electronic systems, and flow-control systems. The company was established on December 2, 2020 and has its headquarters in Stamford CT.
Mueller Water Products
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Mueller Water Products, Inc. manufactures and sells products for the transmission, measurement, and distribution of water. Water Flow Solutions, and Water Management Solutions are its two segments. Water Flow Solutions includes iron gate and specialty valves as well as service brass products. Water Management Solutions focuses on fire-hydrants, repairs and installations, natural gas, meters, leak detection and pressure control products, as well as software. MarketBeat.com offers a FREE daily email newsletter
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