The AES Corporation (AES) vs Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT)

AES leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of The AES Corporation and Alliant 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 LNT

growth of $100 · last 30y
AES +114.7%LNT +374.6%LNT compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$215$475
AES LNT

AES vs LNT: by the numbers

  • LNT is the larger company ($18.85B vs $10.43B market cap).
  • AES trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.78 vs 22.88 P/E).
  • LNT converts more revenue to profit (18.58% vs 10.72% net margin).
  • LNT grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.38% vs 4.63% CAGR).
  • AES pays the higher dividend yield (4.81% vs 2.86%).

Which is better, AES or LNT?

Metric tally: AES 10 · LNT 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAESLNT
P/E ratio7.7822.88
Forward P/E6.2619.82
P/S ratio0.844.28
P/B ratio2.362.55
PEG ratio0.101.21
EV / EBITDA10.6114.93

Profitability

MetricAESLNT
Gross margin19.31%37.97%
Operating margin16.47%23.01%
Net margin10.72%18.58%
ROE30.27%11.06%
ROIC4.24%4.12%

Dividends

MetricAESLNT
Dividend yield4.81%2.86%
Payout ratio55.86%66.19%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAESLNT
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.63%5.38%
EPS CAGR (5Y)78.27%4.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.29%15.57%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-6.68%8.77%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AES or LNT?
It depends on your goal. value: AES (lower P/E); growth: LNT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AES (higher dividend yield); quality: AES (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AES leads 10 to 6.
Is AES or LNT cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AES is cheaper: AES trades at a 7.78 P/E and LNT at 22.88.
Which has grown faster, AES or LNT?
Over the past five years, LNT grew revenue faster — AES at a 4.63% CAGR versus LNT at 5.38%.
Does AES or LNT pay a bigger dividend?
AES yields 4.81% and LNT yields 2.86% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AES or LNT more profitable?
LNT runs the higher net margin — AES at 10.72% versus LNT at 18.58%.
Which has been the better investment, AES or LNT?
Over the past 10-year, LNT delivered the higher annualized total return — AES at 6.25% versus LNT at 9.87%. 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.