Ameren Corporation (AEE) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)
AEE leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Ameren Corporation and NRG Energy, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 21, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AEE vs NRG
growth of $100 · last 23yAEE +142.6%NRG +1302.5%NRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AEE NRG
AEE vs NRG: by the numbers
- •AEE is the larger company ($30.07B vs $28.50B market cap).
- •AEE trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.54 vs 158.89 P/E).
- •AEE converts more revenue to profit (17.17% vs 0.74% net margin).
- •NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 8.44% CAGR).
- •AEE pays the higher dividend yield (2.69% vs 1.35%).
Which is better, AEE or NRG?
Metric tally: AEE 9 · NRG 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAEE(lower P/E)
GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAEE(higher dividend yield)
QualityNRG(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AEE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.54● | 158.89 |
| Forward P/E | 18.71 | — |
| P/S ratio | 3.41 | 0.87● |
| P/B ratio | 2.23● | 5.76 |
| PEG ratio | 0.87● | 10.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.67● | 19.90 |
Profitability
| Metric | AEE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 39.38%● | 17.07% |
| Operating margin | 23.97%● | 3.00% |
| Net margin | 17.17%● | 0.74% |
| ROE | 11.24%● | 4.90% |
| ROIC | 4.01% | 7.00%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AEE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.69%● | 1.35% |
| Payout ratio | 54.28% | 44.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.44% | 16.42%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.79% | 14.48%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -39.48% | -13.77%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.92% | 33.27%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AEE or NRG?
- It depends on your goal. value: AEE (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AEE (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AEE leads 9 to 6.
- Is AEE or NRG cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AEE is cheaper: AEE trades at a 19.54 P/E and NRG at 158.89.
- Which has grown faster, AEE or NRG?
- Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — AEE at a 8.44% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.
- Does AEE or NRG pay a bigger dividend?
- AEE yields 2.69% and NRG yields 1.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AEE or NRG more profitable?
- AEE runs the higher net margin — AEE at 17.17% versus NRG at 0.74%.
- Which has been the better investment, AEE or NRG?
- Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — AEE at 10.98% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ameren P/E ratioNRG Energy P/E ratioAmeren dividend yieldNRG Energy dividend yieldAmeren ROENRG Energy ROEAmeren operating marginNRG Energy operating marginAmeren revenue growthNRG Energy revenue growthAmeren free cash flowNRG Energy free cash flow
Ameren & NRG Energy appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 21, 2026.