CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) vs FirstEnergy Corp. (FE)
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 September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CNP
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
$39.11UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
FE
FirstEnergy Corp.
$46.12UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CNP vs FE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCNP +127.4% (+8.6%/yr)FE +107.4% (+7.6%/yr)CNP compounded faster over this window
CNP FE
CNP vs FE: by the numbers
- •FE is the larger company ($26.69B vs $25.76B market cap).
- •CNP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.01 vs 24.59 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CNP converts more revenue to profit (11.61% vs 6.86% net margin).
- •FE grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.73% vs 3.85% CAGR).
- •FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.93% vs 2.35%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.01 | 24.59 |
| Forward P/E | 20.45 | 16.89 |
| P/S ratio | 2.68 | 1.69 |
| P/B ratio | 2.20 | 2.06 |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.02 | 11.88 |
Profitability
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 28.71% | 53.43% |
| Operating margin | 23.24% | 18.57% |
| Net margin | 11.61% | 6.86% |
| ROE | 9.53% | 8.40% |
| ROIC | 4.14% | 4.43% |
Dividends
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.35% | 3.93% |
| Payout ratio | 54.12% | 97.06% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.85% | 7.73% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.11% | -2.32% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 122.43% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.09% | 8.50% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNP or FE?
- CNP has the lower trailing P/E: CNP trades at 23.01 and FE at 24.59. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CNP or FE?
- Over the past five years, FE grew revenue faster — CNP at a 3.85% CAGR versus FE at 7.73%.
- Does CNP or FE pay a bigger dividend?
- CNP yields 2.35% and FE yields 3.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CNP or FE more profitable?
- CNP runs the higher net margin — CNP at 11.61% versus FE at 6.86%.
- How have CNP and FE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CNP delivered 8.97% and FE delivered 7.92% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.