CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) vs FirstEnergy Corp. (FE)

A side-by-side comparison of CMS Energy Corporation and FirstEnergy Corp. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCMS vs FE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CMS +112.7% (+7.8%/yr)FE +108.0% (+7.6%/yr)CMS compounded faster over this window
100150200250Start $10020182020202220242026$213$208
CMS FE

CMS vs FE: by the numbers

  • FE is the larger company ($26.69B vs $21.06B market cap).
  • CMS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.87 vs 24.59 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CMS converts more revenue to profit (11.64% vs 6.86% net margin).
  • FE grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.73% vs 5.09% CAGR).
  • FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.93% vs 3.33%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCMSFE
P/E ratio19.8724.59
Forward P/E17.3516.89
P/S ratio2.391.69
P/B ratio2.152.06
EV / EBITDA14.0711.88

Profitability

MetricCMSFE
Gross margin60.91%53.43%
Operating margin18.95%18.57%
Net margin11.64%6.86%
ROE10.50%8.40%
ROIC3.41%4.43%

Dividends

MetricCMSFE
Dividend yield3.33%3.93%
Payout ratio66.64%97.06%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMSFE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.09%7.73%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.90%-2.32%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-16.59%122.43%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.44%8.50%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CMS or FE?
CMS has the lower trailing P/E: CMS trades at 19.87 and FE at 24.59. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CMS or FE?
Over the past five years, FE grew revenue faster — CMS at a 5.09% CAGR versus FE at 7.73%.
Does CMS or FE pay a bigger dividend?
CMS yields 3.33% and FE yields 3.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CMS or FE more profitable?
CMS runs the higher net margin — CMS at 11.64% versus FE at 6.86%.
How have CMS and FE total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CMS delivered 8.22% and FE delivered 7.92% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.