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 August 5, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AES
The AES Corporation
$14.70UtilitiesDelayed quote: Aug 5, 2026, 12:10 PM EDT
LNT
Alliant Energy Corporation
$70.20UtilitiesDelayed quote: Aug 5, 2026, 12:10 PM EDT
Total return — AES vs LNT
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAES +198.8%LNT +1622.5%LNT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AES LNT
AES vs LNT: by the numbers
- •LNT is the larger company ($18.13B vs $10.48B market cap).
- •AES trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (7.81 vs 22.15 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •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 (4.79% vs 2.95%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AES | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.81 | 22.15 |
| Forward P/E | 6.37 | 20.66 |
| P/S ratio | 0.84 | 4.14 |
| P/B ratio | 2.37 | 2.46 |
| PEG ratio | 0.10 | 1.21 |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.05 | 16.01 |
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 | 4.79% | 2.95% |
| 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% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -5.35% | 6.75% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AES or LNT?
- AES has the lower trailing P/E: AES trades at 7.81 and LNT at 22.15. 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 4.63% CAGR versus LNT at 5.38%.
- Does AES or LNT pay a bigger dividend?
- AES yields 4.79% and LNT yields 2.95% 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%.
- How have AES and LNT total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AES delivered 5.62% and LNT delivered 9.18% 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 August 5, 2026.