CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) vs FirstEnergy Corp. (FE)
FE leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. 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 — CNP vs FE
growth of $100 · last 30yCNP +120.1%FE +124.0%FE compounded faster
CNP FE
CNP vs FE: by the numbers
- •CNP is the larger company ($28.06B vs $27.20B market cap).
- •FE trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.63 vs 26.32 P/E).
- •CNP converts more revenue to profit (11.38% vs 6.86% net margin).
- •FE grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.52% vs 3.83% CAGR).
- •FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.83% vs 2.10%).
Which is better, CNP or FE?
Metric tally: CNP 5 · FE 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueFE(lower P/E)
GrowthFE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFE(higher dividend yield)
QualityFE(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.32 | 25.63● |
| Forward P/E | 20.61 | 15.97● |
| P/S ratio | 3.00 | 1.76● |
| P/B ratio | 2.47 | 2.16● |
| PEG ratio | 12.53 | 6.15● |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.66 | 12.32● |
| FCF yield | — | 6.58% |
Profitability
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 41.30% | 53.77%● |
| Operating margin | 22.51%● | 18.72% |
| Net margin | 11.38%● | 6.86% |
| ROE | 9.35%● | 8.42% |
| ROIC | 3.96% | 4.46%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.10% | 3.83%● |
| Payout ratio | 55.90% | 101.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.83% | 7.52%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.11%● | -2.32% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -7.60% | 7.07%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.21%● | 8.26% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CNP or FE?
- It depends on your goal. value: FE (lower P/E); growth: FE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FE (higher dividend yield); quality: FE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FE leads 11 to 5.
- Is CNP or FE cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, FE is cheaper: CNP trades at a 26.32 P/E and FE at 25.63.
- Which has grown faster, CNP or FE?
- Over the past five years, FE grew revenue faster — CNP at a 3.83% CAGR versus FE at 7.52%.
- Does CNP or FE pay a bigger dividend?
- CNP yields 2.10% and FE yields 3.83% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CNP or FE more profitable?
- CNP runs the higher net margin — CNP at 11.38% versus FE at 6.86%.
- Which has been the better investment, CNP or FE?
- Over the past 10-year, CNP delivered the higher annualized total return — CNP at 9.78% versus FE at 7.77%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CenterPoint Energy P/E ratioFirstEnergy P/E ratioCenterPoint Energy dividend yieldFirstEnergy dividend yieldCenterPoint Energy ROEFirstEnergy ROECenterPoint Energy operating marginFirstEnergy operating marginCenterPoint Energy revenue growthFirstEnergy revenue growthCenterPoint Energy free cash flowFirstEnergy free cash flow
CenterPoint 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.