The AES Corporation (AES) vs Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT)
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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AES
The AES Corporation
$14.83UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
LNT
Alliant Energy Corporation
$65.61UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AES vs LNT
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAES +72.3% (+5.6%/yr)LNT +139.2% (+9.1%/yr)LNT compounded faster over this window
AES LNT
AES vs LNT: by the numbers
- •LNT is the larger company ($16.94B vs $10.58B market cap).
- •AES trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (5.64 vs 20.76 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •LNT converts more revenue to profit (18.45% vs 14.62% net margin).
- •LNT grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.09% vs 4.57% CAGR).
- •AES pays the higher dividend yield (4.76% vs 3.14%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 5.64 | 20.76 |
| Forward P/E | 6.48 | 19.16 |
| P/S ratio | 0.81 | 3.83 |
| P/B ratio | 2.14 | 2.25 |
| EV / EBITDA | 9.15 | 15.71 |
Profitability
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 20.29% | 42.04% |
| Operating margin | 17.48% | 22.10% |
| Net margin | 14.62% | 18.45% |
| ROE | 38.61% | 10.85% |
| ROIC | 4.38% | 4.04% |
Dividends
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.76% | 3.14% |
| Payout ratio | 26.76% | 66.85% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.57% | 5.09% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 78.27% | 4.98% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -5.31% | 5.75% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AES or LNT?
- AES has the lower trailing P/E: AES trades at 5.64 and LNT at 20.76. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AES or LNT?
- Over the past five years, LNT grew revenue faster — AES at a 4.57% CAGR versus LNT at 5.09%.
- Does AES or LNT pay a bigger dividend?
- AES yields 4.76% and LNT yields 3.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AES or LNT more profitable?
- LNT runs the higher net margin — AES at 14.62% versus LNT at 18.45%.
- How have AES and LNT total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AES delivered 5.77% and LNT delivered 9.48% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AES P/E ratioAlliant Energy P/E ratioAES dividend yieldAlliant Energy dividend yieldAES ROEAlliant Energy ROEAES operating marginAlliant Energy operating marginAES revenue growthAlliant Energy revenue growthAES free cash flowAlliant Energy free cash flow
AES & Alliant 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 September 13, 2026.