Is CNP or XEL cheaper?

On trailing earnings, XEL is cheaper: CNP trades at a 26.32 P/E and XEL at 22.63.

Which has grown faster, CNP or XEL?

Over the past five years, CNP grew revenue faster — CNP at a 3.83% CAGR versus XEL at 3.82%.

Does CNP or XEL pay a bigger dividend?

CNP yields 2.10% and XEL yields 2.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is CNP or XEL more profitable?

XEL runs the higher net margin — CNP at 11.38% versus XEL at 14.14%.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) vs Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL)

CNP leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics, though XEL is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Xcel Energy Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

CNP

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Total return — CNP vs XEL

growth of $100 · last 30y

CNP +120.1%XEL +243.5%XEL compounded faster

CNP XEL

CNP vs XEL: by the numbers

•XEL is the larger company ($49.45B vs $28.06B market cap).
•XEL trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.63 vs 26.32 P/E).
•XEL converts more revenue to profit (14.14% vs 11.38% net margin).
•XEL pays the higher dividend yield (2.19% vs 2.10%).

Which is better, CNP or XEL?

Metric tally: CNP 8 · XEL 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueXEL(lower P/E)

IncomeXEL(higher dividend yield)

QualityCNP(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	CNP	XEL
P/E ratio	26.32	22.63●
Forward P/E	20.61	17.45●
P/S ratio	3.00●	3.35
P/B ratio	2.47	2.08●
PEG ratio	12.53	5.39●
EV / EBITDA	13.66●	14.00

Profitability

Metric	CNP	XEL
Gross margin	41.30%●	18.91%
Operating margin	22.51%●	19.85%
Net margin	11.38%	14.14%●
ROE	9.35%●	8.78%
ROIC	3.96%●	3.77%

Dividends

Metric	CNP	XEL
Dividend yield	2.10%	2.19%●
Payout ratio	55.90%	50.36%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	CNP	XEL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	3.83%	3.82%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	3.11%	4.20%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-7.60%●	-15.80%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	13.21%●	5.94%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNP or XEL?: It depends on your goal. value: XEL (lower P/E); income: XEL (higher dividend yield); quality: CNP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNP leads 8 to 7.
Is CNP or XEL cheaper?: On trailing earnings, XEL is cheaper: CNP trades at a 26.32 P/E and XEL at 22.63.
Which has grown faster, CNP or XEL?: Over the past five years, CNP grew revenue faster — CNP at a 3.83% CAGR versus XEL at 3.82%.
Does CNP or XEL pay a bigger dividend?: CNP yields 2.10% and XEL yields 2.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNP or XEL more profitable?: XEL runs the higher net margin — CNP at 11.38% versus XEL at 14.14%.

Go deeper

Full CNP analysis Full XEL analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

CenterPoint Energy & Xcel Energy appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield 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 14, 2026.