American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) vs Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)
A side-by-side comparison of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and Duke Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AEP
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
$123.33UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
DUK
Duke Energy Corporation
$119.42UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AEP vs DUK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAEP +170.2% (+10.5%/yr)DUK +121.4% (+8.3%/yr)AEP compounded faster over this window
AEP DUK
AEP vs DUK: by the numbers
- •DUK is the larger company ($93.10B vs $67.14B market cap).
- •DUK trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.93 vs 21.34 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •DUK converts more revenue to profit (15.72% vs 13.95% net margin).
- •AEP grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.40% vs 6.46% CAGR).
- •DUK pays the higher dividend yield (3.59% vs 3.08%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AEP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.34 | 17.93 |
| Forward P/E | 19.33 | 17.79 |
| P/S ratio | 2.98 | 2.79 |
| P/B ratio | 2.09 | 1.70 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.02 | 11.73 |
Profitability
| Metric | AEP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.81% | 31.56% |
| Operating margin | 28.36% | 27.60% |
| Net margin | 13.95% | 15.72% |
| ROE | 9.77% | 9.58% |
| ROIC | 5.13% | 4.20% |
Dividends
| Metric | AEP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.08% | 3.59% |
| Payout ratio | 65.74% | 64.26% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.40% | 6.46% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.45% | 29.69% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.71% | 6.99% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AEP or DUK?
- DUK has the lower trailing P/E: AEP trades at 21.34 and DUK at 17.93. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AEP or DUK?
- Over the past five years, AEP grew revenue faster — AEP at a 7.40% CAGR versus DUK at 6.46%.
- Does AEP or DUK pay a bigger dividend?
- AEP yields 3.08% and DUK yields 3.59% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AEP or DUK more profitable?
- DUK runs the higher net margin — AEP at 13.95% versus DUK at 15.72%.
- How have AEP and DUK total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AEP delivered 10.64% and DUK delivered 8.66% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Electric Power P/E ratioDuke Energy P/E ratioAmerican Electric Power dividend yieldDuke Energy dividend yieldAmerican Electric Power ROEDuke Energy ROEAmerican Electric Power operating marginDuke Energy operating marginAmerican Electric Power revenue growthDuke Energy revenue growthAmerican Electric Power free cash flowDuke Energy free cash flow
American Electric Power & Duke 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 September 10, 2026.