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).
Total return — AEE vs XEL
growth of $100 · last 30yAEE +187.0%XEL +242.9%XEL compounded faster
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 5It 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
| Metric | AEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.87● | 22.67 |
| Forward P/E | 19.03 | 17.48● |
| P/S ratio | 3.46 | 3.36● |
| P/B ratio | 2.27 | 2.09● |
| PEG ratio | 0.87● | 5.40 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.79● | 14.02 |
Profitability
| Metric | AEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 39.38%● | 18.91% |
| Operating margin | 23.97%● | 19.85% |
| Net margin | 17.17%● | 14.14% |
| ROE | 11.24%● | 8.78% |
| ROIC | 4.01%● | 3.77% |
Dividends
| Metric | AEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.64% | 2.93%● |
| Payout ratio | 54.28% | 67.59% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ameren P/E ratioXcel Energy P/E ratioAmeren dividend yieldXcel Energy dividend yieldAmeren ROEXcel Energy ROEAmeren operating marginXcel Energy operating marginAmeren revenue growthXcel Energy revenue growthAmeren free cash flowXcel Energy free cash flow
Ameren & Xcel 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 17, 2026.