CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) vs PPL Corporation (PPL)
A side-by-side comparison of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and PPL Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CNP
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
$42.04UtilitiesAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
PPL
PPL Corporation
$35.21UtilitiesAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — CNP vs PPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCNP +837.8%PPL +1254.9%PPL compounded faster
CNP PPL
CNP vs PPL: by the numbers
- •CNP is the larger company ($27.69B vs $26.49B market cap).
- •PPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.47 vs 24.73 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PPL converts more revenue to profit (13.09% vs 11.61% net margin).
- •PPL grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.87% vs 3.85% CAGR).
- •PPL pays the higher dividend yield (3.17% vs 2.14%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.73 | 21.47 |
| Forward P/E | 21.99 | 18.05 |
| P/S ratio | 2.91 | 2.86 |
| P/B ratio | 2.39 | 1.78 |
| PEG ratio | 12.54 | 0.98 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.62 | 12.49 |
Profitability
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 28.71% | 35.29% |
| Operating margin | 23.24% | 23.50% |
| Net margin | 11.61% | 13.09% |
| ROE | 9.53% | 8.12% |
| ROIC | 3.96% | 4.06% |
Dividends
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.14% | 3.17% |
| Payout ratio | 55.90% | 70.13% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.85% | 8.87% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.11% | -3.60% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | -4.92% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.36% | 8.20% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNP or PPL?
- PPL has the lower trailing P/E: CNP trades at 24.73 and PPL at 21.47. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CNP or PPL?
- Over the past five years, PPL grew revenue faster — CNP at a 3.85% CAGR versus PPL at 8.87%.
- Does CNP or PPL pay a bigger dividend?
- CNP yields 2.14% and PPL yields 3.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CNP or PPL more profitable?
- PPL runs the higher net margin — CNP at 11.61% versus PPL at 13.09%.
- How have CNP and PPL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CNP delivered 9.20% and PPL delivered 3.77% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CenterPoint Energy P/E ratioPPL P/E ratioCenterPoint Energy dividend yieldPPL dividend yieldCenterPoint Energy ROEPPL ROECenterPoint Energy operating marginPPL operating marginCenterPoint Energy revenue growthPPL revenue growthCenterPoint Energy free cash flowPPL free cash flow
CenterPoint Energy & PPL 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 August 1, 2026.