American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) vs Vistra Corp. (VST)
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 August 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AEP
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
$122.46UtilitiesDelayed quote: Aug 10, 2026, 12:20 PM EDT
VST
Vistra Corp.
$143.21UtilitiesDelayed quote: Aug 10, 2026, 12:20 PM EDT
Total return — AEP vs VST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAEP +170.7% (+10.5%/yr)VST +963.8% (+26.7%/yr)VST compounded faster over this window
AEP VST
AEP vs VST: by the numbers
- •AEP is the larger company ($66.67B vs $48.29B market cap).
- •AEP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.75 vs 61.13 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •VST converts more revenue to profit (16.67% vs 13.95% net margin).
- •VST grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.52% vs 7.40% CAGR).
- •AEP pays the higher dividend yield (3.02% vs 0.65%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AEP | VST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.75 | 61.13 |
| Forward P/E | 19.76 | 15.51 |
| P/S ratio | 3.07 | 2.96 |
| P/B ratio | 2.15 | 8.58 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.23 | 20.40 |
| FCF yield | 12.94% | 2.34% |
Profitability
| Metric | AEP | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.81% | 17.52% |
| Operating margin | 28.36% | 7.93% |
| Net margin | 13.95% | 16.67% |
| ROE | 9.77% | 18.47% |
| ROIC | 4.71% | 3.30% |
Dividends
| Metric | AEP | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.02% | 0.65% |
| Payout ratio | 57.06% | 41.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEP | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.40% | 7.52% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.45% | 11.20% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | -42.65% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.99% | 52.68% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AEP or VST?
- AEP has the lower trailing P/E: AEP trades at 21.75 and VST at 61.13. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AEP or VST?
- Over the past five years, VST grew revenue faster — AEP at a 7.40% CAGR versus VST at 7.52%.
- Does AEP or VST pay a bigger dividend?
- AEP yields 3.02% and VST yields 0.65% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AEP or VST more profitable?
- VST runs the higher net margin — AEP at 13.95% versus VST at 16.67%.
- How have AEP and VST total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, AEP delivered 10.15% and VST delivered 52.68% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Electric Power P/E ratioVistra P/E ratioAmerican Electric Power dividend yieldVistra dividend yieldAmerican Electric Power ROEVistra ROEAmerican Electric Power operating marginVistra operating marginAmerican Electric Power revenue growthVistra revenue growthAmerican Electric Power free cash flowVistra free cash flow
American Electric Power & Vistra 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 August 10, 2026.