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).

Compare

Total return — AEE vs NRG

growth of $100 · last 23y
AEE +142.6%NRG +1302.5%NRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020072011201520192023$243$1,402
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 6

It 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

MetricAEENRG
P/E ratio19.54158.89
Forward P/E18.71
P/S ratio3.410.87
P/B ratio2.235.76
PEG ratio0.8710.97
EV / EBITDA7.6719.90

Profitability

MetricAEENRG
Gross margin39.38%17.07%
Operating margin23.97%3.00%
Net margin17.17%0.74%
ROE11.24%4.90%
ROIC4.01%7.00%

Dividends

MetricAEENRG
Dividend yield2.69%1.35%
Payout ratio54.28%44.74%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAEENRG
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.

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.