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 30yCMS +150.4%FE +124.0%CMS compounded faster
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 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCMS(lower P/E)
GrowthFE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFE(higher dividend yield)
QualityFE(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CMS | FE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.16● | 25.63 |
| Forward P/E | 17.63 | 15.97● |
| P/S ratio | 2.51 | 1.76● |
| P/B ratio | 2.34 | 2.16● |
| PEG ratio | 3.45● | 6.15 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.67 | 12.32● |
| FCF yield | — | 6.58% |
Profitability
| Metric | CMS | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.61%● | 53.77% |
| Operating margin | 19.53%● | 18.72% |
| Net margin | 12.55%● | 6.86% |
| ROE | 11.69%● | 8.42% |
| ROIC | 3.67% | 4.46%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CMS | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.02% | 3.83%● |
| Payout ratio | 63.03% | 101.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CMS | FE |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CMS Energy P/E ratioFirstEnergy P/E ratioCMS Energy dividend yieldFirstEnergy dividend yieldCMS Energy ROEFirstEnergy ROECMS Energy operating marginFirstEnergy operating marginCMS Energy revenue growthFirstEnergy revenue growthCMS Energy free cash flowFirstEnergy free cash flow
CMS Energy & FirstEnergy 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 13, 2026.