The AES Corporation (AES) vs CMS Energy Corporation (CMS)

AES leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of The AES Corporation and CMS Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AES vs CMS

growth of $100 · last 30y
AES +114.7%CMS +149.8%CMS compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$215$250
AES CMS

AES vs CMS: by the numbers

  • CMS is the larger company ($22.67B vs $10.43B market cap).
  • AES trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.78 vs 20.10 P/E).
  • CMS converts more revenue to profit (12.55% vs 10.72% net margin).
  • CMS grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.66% vs 4.63% CAGR).
  • AES pays the higher dividend yield (4.81% vs 3.03%).

Which is better, AES or CMS?

Metric tally: AES 10 · CMS 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAES(lower P/E)
GrowthCMS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAES(higher dividend yield)
QualityAES(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAESCMS
P/E ratio7.7820.10
Forward P/E6.2617.58
P/S ratio0.842.50
P/B ratio2.362.33
PEG ratio0.103.45
EV / EBITDA10.6112.65

Profitability

MetricAESCMS
Gross margin19.31%64.61%
Operating margin16.47%19.53%
Net margin10.72%12.55%
ROE30.27%11.69%
ROIC4.24%3.67%

Dividends

MetricAESCMS
Dividend yield4.81%3.03%
Payout ratio55.86%63.03%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAESCMS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.63%5.66%
EPS CAGR (5Y)78.27%5.90%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.29%-16.59%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-6.68%8.05%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AES or CMS?
It depends on your goal. value: AES (lower P/E); growth: CMS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AES (higher dividend yield); quality: AES (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AES leads 10 to 5.
Is AES or CMS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AES is cheaper: AES trades at a 7.78 P/E and CMS at 20.10.
Which has grown faster, AES or CMS?
Over the past five years, CMS grew revenue faster — AES at a 4.63% CAGR versus CMS at 5.66%.
Does AES or CMS pay a bigger dividend?
AES yields 4.81% and CMS yields 3.03% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AES or CMS more profitable?
CMS runs the higher net margin — AES at 10.72% versus CMS at 12.55%.
Which has been the better investment, AES or CMS?
Over the past 10-year, CMS delivered the higher annualized total return — AES at 6.25% versus CMS at 8.45%. 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 20, 2026.