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).
Total return — AES vs LNT
growth of $100 · last 30yAES +114.7%LNT +374.6%LNT compounded faster
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 6It 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
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.78● | 22.88 |
| Forward P/E | 6.26● | 19.82 |
| P/S ratio | 0.84● | 4.28 |
| P/B ratio | 2.36● | 2.55 |
| PEG ratio | 0.10● | 1.21 |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.61● | 14.93 |
Profitability
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 19.31% | 37.97%● |
| Operating margin | 16.47% | 23.01%● |
| Net margin | 10.72% | 18.58%● |
| ROE | 30.27%● | 11.06% |
| ROIC | 4.24%● | 4.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.81%● | 2.86% |
| Payout ratio | 55.86% | 66.19% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 June 20, 2026.