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

FE leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though CMS is the cheaper stock.

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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CMS vs FE

growth of $100 · last 30y
CMS +150.4%FE +124.0%CMS compounded faster
0100200300400Start $100200120062011201620212026$250$224
CMS FE

CMS vs FE: by the numbers

  • FE is the larger company ($27.20B vs $22.73B market cap).
  • CMS trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.16 vs 25.63 P/E).
  • CMS converts more revenue to profit (12.55% vs 6.86% net margin).
  • FE grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.52% vs 5.66% CAGR).
  • FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.83% vs 3.02%).

Which is better, CMS or FE?

Metric tally: CMS 7 · FE 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCMS(lower P/E)
GrowthFE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFE(higher dividend yield)
QualityFE(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCMSFE
P/E ratio20.1625.63
Forward P/E17.6315.97
P/S ratio2.511.76
P/B ratio2.342.16
PEG ratio3.456.15
EV / EBITDA12.6712.32
FCF yield6.58%

Profitability

MetricCMSFE
Gross margin64.61%53.77%
Operating margin19.53%18.72%
Net margin12.55%6.86%
ROE11.69%8.42%
ROIC3.67%4.46%

Dividends

MetricCMSFE
Dividend yield3.02%3.83%
Payout ratio63.03%101.69%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMSFE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.66%7.52%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.90%-2.32%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-16.59%7.07%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.18%8.26%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CMS or FE?
It depends on your goal. value: CMS (lower P/E); growth: FE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FE (higher dividend yield); quality: FE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FE leads 9 to 7.
Is CMS or FE cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CMS is cheaper: CMS trades at a 20.16 P/E and FE at 25.63.
Which has grown faster, CMS or FE?
Over the past five years, FE grew revenue faster — CMS at a 5.66% CAGR versus FE at 7.52%.
Does CMS or FE pay a bigger dividend?
CMS yields 3.02% and FE yields 3.83% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CMS or FE more profitable?
CMS runs the higher net margin — CMS at 12.55% versus FE at 6.86%.
Which has been the better investment, CMS or FE?
Over the past 10-year, CMS delivered the higher annualized total return — CMS at 8.60% versus FE at 7.77%. 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 13, 2026.