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).
Total return — AES vs CMS
growth of $100 · last 30yAES +114.7%CMS +149.8%CMS compounded faster
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 5It 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
| Metric | AES | CMS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.78● | 20.10 |
| Forward P/E | 6.26● | 17.58 |
| P/S ratio | 0.84● | 2.50 |
| P/B ratio | 2.36 | 2.33 |
| PEG ratio | 0.10● | 3.45 |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.61● | 12.65 |
Profitability
| Metric | AES | CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 19.31% | 64.61%● |
| Operating margin | 16.47% | 19.53%● |
| Net margin | 10.72% | 12.55%● |
| ROE | 30.27%● | 11.69% |
| ROIC | 4.24%● | 3.67% |
Dividends
| Metric | AES | CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.81%● | 3.03% |
| Payout ratio | 55.86% | 63.03% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AES | CMS |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AES P/E ratioCMS Energy P/E ratioAES dividend yieldCMS Energy dividend yieldAES ROECMS Energy ROEAES operating marginCMS Energy operating marginAES revenue growthCMS Energy revenue growthAES free cash flowCMS Energy free cash flow
AES & CMS Energy 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 20, 2026.