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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CNP
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
$44.10UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
FE
FirstEnergy Corp.
$49.65UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CNP vs FE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCNP +881.8%FE +727.8%CNP compounded faster
CNP FE
CNP vs FE: by the numbers
- •CNP is the larger company ($28.85B vs $28.72B market cap).
- •FE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.87 vs 27.00 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 (7.52% vs 3.85% CAGR).
- •FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.65% vs 2.04%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 27.00 | 26.87 |
| Forward P/E | 23.04 | 18.04 |
| P/S ratio | 3.08 | 1.84 |
| P/B ratio | 2.53 | 2.26 |
| PEG ratio | 12.54 | 6.14 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.30 | 12.65 |
| FCF yield | N/A | 6.27% |
Profitability
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 28.71% | 53.77% |
| Operating margin | 23.24% | 18.72% |
| Net margin | 11.61% | 6.86% |
| ROE | 9.53% | 8.42% |
| ROIC | 3.96% | 4.46% |
Dividends
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.04% | 3.65% |
| Payout ratio | 55.90% | 101.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.85% | 7.52% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.11% | -2.32% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 7.07% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.20% | 9.24% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNP or FE?
- FE has the lower trailing P/E: CNP trades at 27.00 and FE at 26.87. 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 7.52%.
- Does CNP or FE pay a bigger dividend?
- CNP yields 2.04% and FE yields 3.65% 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 9.71% and FE delivered 7.81% 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 July 28, 2026.