Head to Head Review: Centuri (NYSE:CTRI) & Southwest Gas (NYSE:SWX)

Southwest Gas (NYSE:SWX) and Centuri (NYSE:CTRI) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability and earnings.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Southwest Gas and Centuri”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Southwest Gas	$5.43 billion	0.99	$150.89 million	$2.48	30.25
Centuri	$2.59 billion	0.70	-$186.18 million	N/A	N/A

Southwest Gas has higher revenue and earnings than Centuri.

Profitability

This table compares Southwest Gas and Centuri’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Southwest Gas	3.44%	5.99%	1.76%
Centuri	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Southwest Gas and Centuri, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Southwest Gas	0	3	0	0	2.00
Centuri	2	2	2	2	2.50

Southwest Gas currently has a consensus price target of $73.67, indicating a potential downside of 1.79%. Centuri has a consensus price target of $18.40, indicating a potential downside of 9.72%. Given Southwest Gas’ higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Southwest Gas is more favorable than Centuri.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

92.8% of Southwest Gas shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of Southwest Gas shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Southwest Gas beats Centuri on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Southwest Gas

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, distributes and transports natural gas in Arizona, Nevada, and California. The company operates through Natural Gas Distribution, Utility Infrastructure Services, and Pipeline and Storage segments. It also provides trenching, installation, and replacement of underground pipes, as well as maintenance services for energy distribution systems. As of December 31, 2023, it had 2,226,000 residential, commercial, industrial, and other natural gas customers. Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1931 and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About Centuri

Centuri Holdings, Inc. operates as a utility infrastructure services company in North America. It offers gas utility services, including maintenance, repair, installation, and replacement services for natural gas local distribution utility companies with focus on the modernization of infrastructure. The company also provides electric utility services comprising design, maintenance and repair, upgrade, and expansion services for transmission and distribution infrastructure. Its customers include electric, gas, and combination utility companies, as well as serves end markets, such as renewable energy and 5G datacom. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Centuri Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.