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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CNP
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
$37.98UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 15, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PPL
PPL Corporation
$33.23UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 15, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CNP vs PPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCNP +125.7% (+8.5%/yr)PPL +50.3% (+4.2%/yr)CNP compounded faster over this window
CNP PPL
CNP vs PPL: by the numbers
- •CNP is the larger company ($25.02B vs $25.01B market cap).
- •PPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.66 vs 22.34 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PPL converts more revenue to profit (13.47% vs 11.61% net margin).
- •PPL grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.98% vs 3.85% CAGR).
- •PPL pays the higher dividend yield (3.31% vs 2.35%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.34 | 19.66 |
| Forward P/E | 19.86 | 17.05 |
| P/S ratio | 2.60 | 2.66 |
| P/B ratio | 2.13 | 1.66 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.83 | 11.93 |
Profitability
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 28.71% | 42.73% |
| Operating margin | 23.24% | 24.02% |
| Net margin | 11.61% | 13.47% |
| ROE | 9.53% | 8.41% |
| ROIC | 4.14% | 4.24% |
Dividends
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.35% | 3.31% |
| Payout ratio | 54.12% | 66.72% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNP | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.85% | 8.98% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.11% | -3.60% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | -17.12% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.08% | 6.46% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNP or PPL?
- PPL has the lower trailing P/E: CNP trades at 22.34 and PPL at 19.66. 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 8.98%.
- Does CNP or PPL pay a bigger dividend?
- CNP yields 2.35% and PPL yields 3.31% 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 13.47%.
- How have CNP and PPL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CNP delivered 8.96% and PPL delivered 4.60% 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 September 13, 2026.