Entergy Corporation (ETR) vs Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL)

XEL leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Entergy Corporation and Xcel Energy Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — ETR vs XEL

growth of $100 · last 30y
ETR +734.8%XEL +243.5%ETR compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100200120062011201620212026$835$344
ETR XEL

ETR vs XEL: by the numbers

  • ETR is the larger company ($50.88B vs $49.45B market cap).
  • XEL trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.63 vs 28.34 P/E).
  • XEL converts more revenue to profit (14.14% vs 13.56% net margin).
  • ETR grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.76% vs 3.82% CAGR).
  • ETR pays the higher dividend yield (2.27% vs 2.19%).

Which is better, ETR or XEL?

Metric tally: ETR 7 · XEL 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueXEL(lower P/E)
GrowthETR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeETR(higher dividend yield)
QualityXEL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricETRXEL
P/E ratio28.3422.63
Forward P/E21.9217.45
P/S ratio3.873.35
P/B ratio2.962.08
PEG ratio0.385.39
EV / EBITDA13.8513.77

Profitability

MetricETRXEL
Gross margin43.33%18.91%
Operating margin22.57%19.85%
Net margin13.56%14.14%
ROE10.39%8.78%
ROIC3.55%3.77%

Dividends

MetricETRXEL
Dividend yield2.27%2.19%
Payout ratio63.32%50.36%

Growth (annualized)

MetricETRXEL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.76%3.82%
EPS CAGR (5Y)2.78%4.20%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-28.10%-15.80%
Total return CAGR (5Y)19.48%5.94%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ETR or XEL?
It depends on your goal. value: XEL (lower P/E); growth: ETR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ETR (higher dividend yield); quality: XEL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, XEL leads 8 to 7.
Is ETR or XEL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, XEL is cheaper: ETR trades at a 28.34 P/E and XEL at 22.63.
Which has grown faster, ETR or XEL?
Over the past five years, ETR grew revenue faster — ETR at a 4.76% CAGR versus XEL at 3.82%.
Does ETR or XEL pay a bigger dividend?
ETR yields 2.27% and XEL yields 2.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ETR or XEL more profitable?
XEL runs the higher net margin — ETR at 13.56% versus XEL at 14.14%.
Which has been the better investment, ETR or XEL?
Over the past 10-year, ETR delivered the higher annualized total return — ETR at 15.23% versus XEL at 9.68%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 13, 2026.