The AES Corporation (AES) vs Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW)

AES leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of The AES Corporation and Pinnacle West Capital Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AES vs PNW

growth of $100 · last 30y
AES +117.8%PNW +271.6%PNW compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$218$372
AES PNW

AES vs PNW: by the numbers

  • PNW is the larger company ($12.77B vs $10.48B market cap).
  • AES trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.82 vs 19.66 P/E).
  • PNW converts more revenue to profit (11.99% vs 10.72% net margin).
  • PNW grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.55% vs 4.63% CAGR).
  • AES pays the higher dividend yield (4.79% vs 3.44%).

Which is better, AES or PNW?

Metric tally: AES 10 · PNW 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAESPNW
P/E ratio7.8219.66
Forward P/E6.3318.98
P/S ratio0.842.39
P/B ratio2.381.85
PEG ratio0.1018.90
EV / EBITDA10.6212.91

Profitability

MetricAESPNW
Gross margin19.31%40.72%
Operating margin16.47%27.54%
Net margin10.72%11.99%
ROE30.27%9.25%
ROIC4.24%3.18%

Dividends

MetricAESPNW
Dividend yield4.79%3.44%
Payout ratio55.86%70.39%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAESPNW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.63%8.55%
EPS CAGR (5Y)78.27%1.04%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.29%-32.59%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-7.11%9.98%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AES or PNW?
It depends on your goal. value: AES (lower P/E); growth: PNW (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 PNW cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AES is cheaper: AES trades at a 7.82 P/E and PNW at 19.66.
Which has grown faster, AES or PNW?
Over the past five years, PNW grew revenue faster — AES at a 4.63% CAGR versus PNW at 8.55%.
Does AES or PNW pay a bigger dividend?
AES yields 4.79% and PNW yields 3.44% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AES or PNW more profitable?
PNW runs the higher net margin — AES at 10.72% versus PNW at 11.99%.
Which has been the better investment, AES or PNW?
Over the past 10-year, PNW delivered the higher annualized total return — AES at 5.87% versus PNW at 7.19%. 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 24, 2026.