CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)

A side-by-side comparison of CMS Energy Corporation and NRG Energy, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 5, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCMS vs NRG

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 23y
CMS +1657.5%NRG +1536.3%CMS compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $10020072011201520192023$1,758$1,636
CMS NRG

CMS vs NRG: by the numbers

  • NRG is the larger company ($24.69B vs $22.49B market cap).
  • CMS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.22 vs 30.72 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CMS converts more revenue to profit (11.64% vs 2.31% net margin).
  • NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.13% vs 5.09% CAGR).
  • CMS pays the higher dividend yield (3.10% vs 1.56%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCMSNRG
P/E ratio21.2230.72
Forward P/E18.5212.71
P/S ratio2.450.67
P/B ratio2.215.06
PEG ratio3.482.12
EV / EBITDA14.2511.43
FCF yieldN/A1.42%

Profitability

MetricCMSNRG
Gross margin60.91%16.42%
Operating margin18.95%5.38%
Net margin11.64%2.31%
ROE10.50%17.49%
ROIC3.67%7.00%

Dividends

MetricCMSNRG
Dividend yield3.10%1.56%
Payout ratio63.03%44.74%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMSNRG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.09%15.13%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.90%14.48%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-16.59%-22.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.75%26.16%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CMS or NRG?
CMS has the lower trailing P/E: CMS trades at 21.22 and NRG at 30.72. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CMS or NRG?
Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — CMS at a 5.09% CAGR versus NRG at 15.13%.
Does CMS or NRG pay a bigger dividend?
CMS yields 3.10% and NRG yields 1.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CMS or NRG more profitable?
CMS runs the higher net margin — CMS at 11.64% versus NRG at 2.31%.
How have CMS and NRG total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CMS delivered 8.01% and NRG delivered 26.43% 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 August 5, 2026.