Ameren Corporation (AEE) vs Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL)

AEE leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Ameren Corporation and Xcel Energy Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AEE vs XEL

growth of $100 · last 30y
AEE +187.0%XEL +242.9%XEL compounded faster
0100200300Start $100200120062011201620212026$287$343
AEE XEL

AEE vs XEL: by the numbers

  • XEL is the larger company ($49.51B vs $30.58B market cap).
  • AEE trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.87 vs 22.67 P/E).
  • AEE converts more revenue to profit (17.17% vs 14.14% net margin).
  • AEE grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.44% vs 3.82% CAGR).
  • XEL pays the higher dividend yield (2.93% vs 2.64%).

Which is better, AEE or XEL?

Metric tally: AEE 11 · XEL 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAEE(lower P/E)
GrowthAEE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeXEL(higher dividend yield)
QualityAEE(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAEEXEL
P/E ratio19.8722.67
Forward P/E19.0317.48
P/S ratio3.463.36
P/B ratio2.272.09
PEG ratio0.875.40
EV / EBITDA7.7914.02

Profitability

MetricAEEXEL
Gross margin39.38%18.91%
Operating margin23.97%19.85%
Net margin17.17%14.14%
ROE11.24%8.78%
ROIC4.01%3.77%

Dividends

MetricAEEXEL
Dividend yield2.64%2.93%
Payout ratio54.28%67.59%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAEEXEL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.44%3.82%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.79%4.20%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-39.48%-15.80%
Total return CAGR (5Y)8.80%6.47%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AEE or XEL?
It depends on your goal. value: AEE (lower P/E); growth: AEE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: XEL (higher dividend yield); quality: AEE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AEE leads 11 to 5.
Is AEE or XEL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AEE is cheaper: AEE trades at a 19.87 P/E and XEL at 22.67.
Which has grown faster, AEE or XEL?
Over the past five years, AEE grew revenue faster — AEE at a 8.44% CAGR versus XEL at 3.82%.
Does AEE or XEL pay a bigger dividend?
AEE yields 2.64% and XEL yields 2.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AEE or XEL more profitable?
AEE runs the higher net margin — AEE at 17.17% versus XEL at 14.14%.
Which has been the better investment, AEE or XEL?
Over the past 10-year, AEE delivered the higher annualized total return — AEE at 11.18% versus XEL at 9.63%. 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 17, 2026.