CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) vs PPL Corporation (PPL)
PPL leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.
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 June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CNP vs PPL
growth of $100 · last 30yCNP +123.6%PPL +252.5%PPL compounded faster
CNP PPL
CNP vs PPL: by the numbers
- •CNP is the larger company ($28.36B vs $27.37B market cap).
- •PPL trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.18 vs 26.60 P/E).
- •PPL converts more revenue to profit (13.09% vs 11.38% net margin).
- •PPL grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.87% vs 3.83% CAGR).
- •PPL pays the higher dividend yield (3.06% vs 2.08%).
Which is better, CNP or PPL?
Metric tally: CNP 4 · PPL 12It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePPL(lower P/E)
GrowthPPL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePPL(higher dividend yield)
QualityPPL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.60 | 22.18● |
| Forward P/E | 20.83 | 17.17● |
| P/S ratio | 3.04 | 2.96● |
| P/B ratio | 2.50 | 1.83● |
| PEG ratio | 12.53 | 0.66● |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.74 | 12.21● |
Profitability
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 41.30%● | 35.20% |
| Operating margin | 22.51% | 23.53%● |
| Net margin | 11.38% | 13.09%● |
| ROE | 9.35%● | 8.12% |
| ROIC | 3.96% | 4.07%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.08% | 3.06%● |
| Payout ratio | 55.90% | 69.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.83% | 8.87%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.11%● | -3.48% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -7.60% | -4.92%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.00%● | 8.68% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CNP or PPL?
- It depends on your goal. value: PPL (lower P/E); growth: PPL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PPL (higher dividend yield); quality: PPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PPL leads 12 to 4.
- Is CNP or PPL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PPL is cheaper: CNP trades at a 26.60 P/E and PPL at 22.18.
- Which has grown faster, CNP or PPL?
- Over the past five years, PPL grew revenue faster — CNP at a 3.83% CAGR versus PPL at 8.87%.
- Does CNP or PPL pay a bigger dividend?
- CNP yields 2.08% and PPL yields 3.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CNP or PPL more profitable?
- PPL runs the higher net margin — CNP at 11.38% versus PPL at 13.09%.
- Which has been the better investment, CNP or PPL?
- Over the past 10-year, CNP delivered the higher annualized total return — CNP at 9.95% versus PPL at 3.77%. 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 June 17, 2026.