CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) vs Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT)
CMS leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CMS Energy Corporation and Alliant Energy Corporation 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 LNT
growth of $100 · last 30yCMS +150.4%LNT +385.5%LNT compounded faster
CMS LNT
CMS vs LNT: by the numbers
- •CMS is the larger company ($22.73B vs $18.88B market cap).
- •CMS trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.16 vs 22.92 P/E).
- •LNT converts more revenue to profit (18.58% vs 12.55% net margin).
- •CMS grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.66% vs 5.38% CAGR).
- •CMS pays the higher dividend yield (3.02% vs 2.85%).
Which is better, CMS or LNT?
Metric tally: CMS 10 · LNT 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCMS(lower P/E)
GrowthCMS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCMS(higher dividend yield)
QualityLNT(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CMS | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.16● | 22.92 |
| Forward P/E | 17.63● | 19.85 |
| P/S ratio | 2.51● | 4.28 |
| P/B ratio | 2.34● | 2.55 |
| PEG ratio | 3.45 | 1.21● |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.67● | 14.94 |
Profitability
| Metric | CMS | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.61%● | 37.97% |
| Operating margin | 19.53% | 23.01%● |
| Net margin | 12.55% | 18.58%● |
| ROE | 11.69%● | 11.06% |
| ROIC | 3.67% | 4.12%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CMS | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.02%● | 2.85% |
| Payout ratio | 63.03% | 66.19% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CMS | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.66%● | 5.38% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.90%● | 4.98% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -16.59% | 15.57%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.18% | 7.95%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CMS or LNT?
- It depends on your goal. value: CMS (lower P/E); growth: CMS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CMS (higher dividend yield); quality: LNT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CMS leads 10 to 6.
- Is CMS or LNT cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CMS is cheaper: CMS trades at a 20.16 P/E and LNT at 22.92.
- Which has grown faster, CMS or LNT?
- Over the past five years, CMS grew revenue faster — CMS at a 5.66% CAGR versus LNT at 5.38%.
- Does CMS or LNT pay a bigger dividend?
- CMS yields 3.02% and LNT yields 2.85% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CMS or LNT more profitable?
- LNT runs the higher net margin — CMS at 12.55% versus LNT at 18.58%.
- Which has been the better investment, CMS or LNT?
- Over the past 10-year, LNT delivered the higher annualized total return — CMS at 8.60% versus LNT at 9.86%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CMS Energy P/E ratioAlliant Energy P/E ratioCMS Energy dividend yieldAlliant Energy dividend yieldCMS Energy ROEAlliant Energy ROECMS Energy operating marginAlliant Energy operating marginCMS Energy revenue growthAlliant Energy revenue growthCMS Energy free cash flowAlliant Energy free cash flow
CMS Energy & Alliant Energy 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.