On the stock market since 1972, it operates in electricity, water and gas. It has 2,453 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
An average decline of 15% a year over the last 4 years — the most striking risk in this picture. Red columns mark years that ended in a loss.
The gap is $2.9B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit power and business quality lead the class.
A solid grade overall — yet the debt outweighs the cash. The strength here comes from earnings power.
The price isn’t cheap next to earnings — that’s why this grade sits in the middle.
Clearly below the class average.
The stock has been running stronger than the market lately.
Growth: Sales growth trails the sector average.
The stock trades near its peak today. For long-term holders the ride has paid off so far — though past performance guarantees nothing about the future.
The net profit margin is 23% — still a thick cushion, though costs have been eating into it lately.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 30 buys and 14 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
It pays out $2.51 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
Over the last 3 years, sales fell about 27% a year on average. Profit is holding up, but a shrinking business is a risk worth watching.
The growth engine is running at low revs right now. Report-card grade: 15/100.
On our five-subject report card, SWX sits near the top of the class. A high grade doesn’t mean “guaranteed win” — it means “the evidence looks strong for now.”
The takeaway: SWX is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s what that quality should cost.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.