CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) vs NiSource Inc. (NI)
NI leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics, though CMS is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of CMS Energy Corporation and NiSource Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CMS vs NI
growth of $100 · last 30yCMS +149.9%NI +559.3%NI compounded faster
CMS NI
CMS vs NI: by the numbers
- •CMS is the larger company ($22.82B vs $22.76B market cap).
- •CMS trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.16 vs 23.62 P/E).
- •NI converts more revenue to profit (14.10% vs 12.55% net margin).
- •NI grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.10% vs 5.66% CAGR).
- •CMS pays the higher dividend yield (3.02% vs 2.44%).
Which is better, CMS or NI?
Metric tally: CMS 6 · NI 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCMS(lower P/E)
GrowthNI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCMS(higher dividend yield)
QualityNI(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.16● | 23.62 |
| Forward P/E | 17.63● | 21.20 |
| P/S ratio | 2.51● | 3.35 |
| P/B ratio | 2.34 | 2.36 |
| PEG ratio | 3.45 | 1.05● |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.67 | 12.66 |
Profitability
| Metric | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.61%● | 55.92% |
| Operating margin | 19.53% | 27.78%● |
| Net margin | 12.55% | 14.10%● |
| ROE | 11.69%● | 9.96% |
| ROIC | 3.67% | 4.51%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.02%● | 2.44% |
| Payout ratio | 63.03% | 59.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.66% | 8.10%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.90% | 14.27%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -16.59% | -7.40%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.28% | 16.40%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CMS or NI?
- It depends on your goal. value: CMS (lower P/E); growth: NI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CMS (higher dividend yield); quality: NI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NI leads 8 to 6.
- Is CMS or NI cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CMS is cheaper: CMS trades at a 20.16 P/E and NI at 23.62.
- Which has grown faster, CMS or NI?
- Over the past five years, NI grew revenue faster — CMS at a 5.66% CAGR versus NI at 8.10%.
- Does CMS or NI pay a bigger dividend?
- CMS yields 3.02% and NI yields 2.44% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CMS or NI more profitable?
- NI runs the higher net margin — CMS at 12.55% versus NI at 14.10%.
- Which has been the better investment, CMS or NI?
- Over the past 10-year, NI delivered the higher annualized total return — CMS at 8.60% versus NI at 9.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CMS Energy P/E ratioNiSource P/E ratioCMS Energy dividend yieldNiSource dividend yieldCMS Energy ROENiSource ROECMS Energy operating marginNiSource operating marginCMS Energy revenue growthNiSource revenue growthCMS Energy free cash flowNiSource free cash flow
CMS Energy & NiSource 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 15, 2026.