The AES Corporation (AES) vs Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN)
AES leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of The AES Corporation and Northwest Natural Holding Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 29, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AES
The AES Corporation
$14.67Utilities
NWN
Northwest Natural Holding Company
$50.83Utilities
Total return — AES vs NWN
growth of $100 · last 30yAES +104.0%NWN +110.3%NWN compounded faster
AES NWN
AES vs NWN: by the numbers
- •AES is the larger company ($10.46B vs $2.14B market cap).
- •AES trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.80 vs 17.07 P/E).
- •AES converts more revenue to profit (10.72% vs 9.56% net margin).
- •NWN grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.83% vs 4.63% CAGR).
- •AES pays the higher dividend yield (4.80% vs 3.88%).
Which is better, AES or NWN?
Metric tally: AES 9 · NWN 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAES(lower P/E)
GrowthNWN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAES(higher dividend yield)
QualityNWN(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AES | NWN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.80● | 17.07 |
| Forward P/E | 6.32● | 15.74 |
| P/S ratio | 0.84● | 1.62 |
| P/B ratio | 2.37 | 1.32● |
| PEG ratio | 0.10● | 0.46 |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.05 | 7.76● |
Profitability
| Metric | AES | NWN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 19.31% | 42.26%● |
| Operating margin | 16.47% | 31.35%● |
| Net margin | 10.72%● | 9.56% |
| ROE | 30.27%● | 7.79% |
| ROIC | 4.24% | 5.17%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AES | NWN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.80%● | 3.88% |
| Payout ratio | 55.86% | 71.12% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AES | NWN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.63% | 9.83%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 78.27%● | 3.61% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.29%● | -24.53% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -7.40% | 3.48%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AES or NWN?
- It depends on your goal. value: AES (lower P/E); growth: NWN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AES (higher dividend yield); quality: NWN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AES leads 9 to 7.
- Is AES or NWN cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AES is cheaper: AES trades at a 7.80 P/E and NWN at 17.07.
- Which has grown faster, AES or NWN?
- Over the past five years, NWN grew revenue faster — AES at a 4.63% CAGR versus NWN at 9.83%.
- Does AES or NWN pay a bigger dividend?
- AES yields 4.80% and NWN yields 3.88% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AES or NWN more profitable?
- AES runs the higher net margin — AES at 10.72% versus NWN at 9.56%.
- Which has been the better investment, AES or NWN?
- Over the past 10-year, AES delivered the higher annualized total return — AES at 6.03% versus NWN at 1.82%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AES P/E ratioNorthwest Natural P/E ratioAES dividend yieldNorthwest Natural dividend yieldAES ROENorthwest Natural ROEAES operating marginNorthwest Natural operating marginAES revenue growthNorthwest Natural revenue growthAES free cash flowNorthwest Natural free cash flow
AES & Northwest Natural 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 29, 2026.