Is CNP or NRG cheaper?

On trailing earnings, CNP is cheaper: CNP trades at a 26.27 P/E and NRG at 158.89.

Which has grown faster, CNP or NRG?

Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — CNP at a 3.83% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.

Does CNP or NRG pay a bigger dividend?

CNP yields 2.10% and NRG yields 1.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is CNP or NRG more profitable?

CNP runs the higher net margin — CNP at 11.38% versus NRG at 0.74%.

Which has been the better investment, CNP or NRG?

Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — CNP at 9.78% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)

CNP leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and NRG Energy, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 21, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

CNP

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Total return — CNP vs NRG

growth of $100 · last 23y

CNP +334.3%NRG +1302.5%NRG compounded faster

CNP NRG

CNP vs NRG: by the numbers

•NRG is the larger company ($28.50B vs $28.01B market cap).
•CNP trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.27 vs 158.89 P/E).
•CNP converts more revenue to profit (11.38% vs 0.74% net margin).
•NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 3.83% CAGR).
•CNP pays the higher dividend yield (2.10% vs 1.35%).

Which is better, CNP or NRG?

Metric tally: CNP 9 · NRG 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCNP(lower P/E)

GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeCNP(higher dividend yield)

QualityNRG(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	CNP	NRG
P/E ratio	26.27●	158.89
Forward P/E	20.57	—
P/S ratio	3.00	0.87●
P/B ratio	2.46●	5.76
PEG ratio	12.54	10.97●
EV / EBITDA	13.65●	19.90

Profitability

Metric	CNP	NRG
Gross margin	41.30%●	17.07%
Operating margin	22.51%●	3.00%
Net margin	11.38%●	0.74%
ROE	9.35%●	4.90%
ROIC	3.96%	7.00%●

Dividends

Metric	CNP	NRG
Dividend yield	2.10%●	1.35%
Payout ratio	55.90%	44.74%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	CNP	NRG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	3.83%	16.42%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	3.11%	14.48%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-7.60%●	-13.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	14.54%	33.27%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNP or NRG?: It depends on your goal. value: CNP (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CNP (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNP leads 9 to 6.
Is CNP or NRG cheaper?: On trailing earnings, CNP is cheaper: CNP trades at a 26.27 P/E and NRG at 158.89.
Which has grown faster, CNP or NRG?: Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — CNP at a 3.83% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.
Does CNP or NRG pay a bigger dividend?: CNP yields 2.10% and NRG yields 1.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNP or NRG more profitable?: CNP runs the higher net margin — CNP at 11.38% versus NRG at 0.74%.
Which has been the better investment, CNP or NRG?: Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — CNP at 9.78% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full CNP analysis Full NRG analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

CenterPoint Energy P/E ratio NRG Energy P/E ratio CenterPoint Energy dividend yield NRG Energy dividend yield CenterPoint Energy ROE NRG Energy ROE CenterPoint Energy operating margin NRG Energy operating margin CenterPoint Energy revenue growth NRG Energy revenue growth CenterPoint Energy free cash flow NRG Energy free cash flow

CenterPoint Energy & NRG Energy appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks

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 21, 2026.