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).
AEP
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
$134.96Utilities
VST
Vistra Corp.
$162.87Utilities
Total return — AEP vs VST
growth of $100 · last 10yAEP +117.0%VST +950.8%VST compounded faster
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 5It 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
| Metric | AEP | VST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.94● | 27.10 |
| Forward P/E | 19.70 | 14.38● |
| P/S ratio | 3.33● | 3.41 |
| P/B ratio | 2.32● | 9.89 |
| PEG ratio | 0.91● | 2.42 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.41 | 11.48● |
| FCF yield | 10.36%● | 2.03% |
Profitability
| Metric | AEP | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 40.39%● | 12.72% |
| Operating margin | 23.47%● | 2.07% |
| Net margin | 16.49%● | 13.82% |
| ROE | 11.49% | 40.04%● |
| ROIC | 4.71%● | 3.30% |
Dividends
| Metric | AEP | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.80%● | 0.56% |
| Payout ratio | 56.76% | 41.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEP | VST |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 June 25, 2026.