American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) vs Vistra Corp. (VST)

AEP leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and Vistra Corp. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AEP vs VST

growth of $100 · last 10y
AEP +117.0%VST +950.8%VST compounded faster
05001k2kStart $10020182020202220242026$217$1,051
AEP VST

AEP vs VST: by the numbers

  • AEP is the larger company ($73.43B vs $54.92B market cap).
  • AEP trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.94 vs 27.10 P/E).
  • AEP converts more revenue to profit (16.49% vs 13.82% net margin).
  • AEP grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.51% vs 6.97% CAGR).
  • AEP pays the higher dividend yield (2.80% vs 0.56%).

Which is better, AEP or VST?

Metric tally: AEP 12 · VST 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAEP(lower P/E)
GrowthAEP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAEP(higher dividend yield)
QualityAEP(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAEPVST
P/E ratio19.9427.10
Forward P/E19.7014.38
P/S ratio3.333.41
P/B ratio2.329.89
PEG ratio0.912.42
EV / EBITDA14.4111.48
FCF yield10.36%2.03%

Profitability

MetricAEPVST
Gross margin40.39%12.72%
Operating margin23.47%2.07%
Net margin16.49%13.82%
ROE11.49%40.04%
ROIC4.71%3.30%

Dividends

MetricAEPVST
Dividend yield2.80%0.56%
Payout ratio56.76%41.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAEPVST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.51%6.97%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.45%11.20%
FCF CAGR (5Y)41.49%-11.04%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.29%57.80%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AEP or VST?
It depends on your goal. value: AEP (lower P/E); growth: AEP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AEP (higher dividend yield); quality: AEP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AEP leads 12 to 5.
Is AEP or VST cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AEP is cheaper: AEP trades at a 19.94 P/E and VST at 27.10.
Which has grown faster, AEP or VST?
Over the past five years, AEP grew revenue faster — AEP at a 7.51% CAGR versus VST at 6.97%.
Does AEP or VST pay a bigger dividend?
AEP yields 2.80% and VST yields 0.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AEP or VST more profitable?
AEP runs the higher net margin — AEP at 16.49% versus VST at 13.82%.
Which has been the better investment, AEP or VST?
Over the past 5-year, VST delivered the higher annualized total return — AEP at 11.03% versus VST at 57.80%. 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 25, 2026.