American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) vs Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)

DUK leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AEP vs DUK

growth of $100 · last 30y
AEP +221.1%DUK +194.3%AEP compounded faster
100200300Start $100200120062011201620212026$321$294
AEP DUK

AEP vs DUK: by the numbers

  • DUK is the larger company ($97.43B vs $70.31B market cap).
  • AEP trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.09 vs 19.14 P/E).
  • AEP converts more revenue to profit (16.49% vs 15.44% net margin).
  • AEP grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.51% vs 6.70% CAGR).
  • DUK pays the higher dividend yield (3.41% vs 2.93%).

Which is better, AEP or DUK?

Metric tally: AEP 7 · DUK 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthAEP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDUK(higher dividend yield)
QualityAEP(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAEPDUK
P/E ratio19.0919.14
Forward P/E18.8617.43
P/S ratio3.192.92
P/B ratio2.221.79
PEG ratio0.881.74
EV / EBITDA14.0511.56
FCF yield8.73%6.78%

Profitability

MetricAEPDUK
Gross margin40.39%58.41%
Operating margin23.47%26.98%
Net margin16.49%15.44%
ROE11.49%9.44%
ROIC4.71%4.13%

Dividends

MetricAEPDUK
Dividend yield2.93%3.41%
Payout ratio56.76%67.51%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAEPDUK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.51%6.70%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.45%29.69%
FCF CAGR (5Y)38.55%131.21%
Total return CAGR (5Y)12.78%8.25%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AEP or DUK?
It depends on your goal. growth: AEP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DUK (higher dividend yield); quality: AEP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DUK leads 9 to 7.
Is AEP or DUK cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AEP is cheaper: AEP trades at a 19.09 P/E and DUK at 19.14.
Which has grown faster, AEP or DUK?
Over the past five years, AEP grew revenue faster — AEP at a 7.51% CAGR versus DUK at 6.70%.
Does AEP or DUK pay a bigger dividend?
AEP yields 2.93% and DUK yields 3.41% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AEP or DUK more profitable?
AEP runs the higher net margin — AEP at 16.49% versus DUK at 15.44%.
Which has been the better investment, AEP or DUK?
Over the past 10-year, AEP delivered the higher annualized total return — AEP at 10.61% versus DUK at 8.73%. 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 13, 2026.