FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)

A side-by-side comparison of FirstEnergy Corp. and NRG Energy, Inc. 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.

Compare

Total returnFE vs NRG

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
FE +107.4% (+7.6%/yr)NRG +1064.5% (+27.8%/yr)NRG compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$207$1,164
FE NRG

FE vs NRG: by the numbers

  • FE is the larger company ($26.19B vs $21.87B market cap).
  • FE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.14 vs 27.21 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • FE converts more revenue to profit (6.86% vs 2.31% net margin).
  • NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.13% vs 7.73% CAGR).
  • FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.95% vs 1.64%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricFENRG
P/E ratio24.1427.21
Forward P/E16.5811.66
P/S ratio1.650.60
P/B ratio2.024.50
EV / EBITDA11.7810.79
FCF yieldN/A1.59%

Profitability

MetricFENRG
Gross margin53.43%16.42%
Operating margin18.57%5.38%
Net margin6.86%2.31%
ROE8.40%17.49%
ROIC4.43%5.38%

Dividends

MetricFENRG
Dividend yield3.95%1.64%
Payout ratio97.06%48.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFENRG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.73%15.13%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-2.32%14.48%
FCF CAGR (5Y)122.43%-22.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)8.44%24.35%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, FE or NRG?
FE has the lower trailing P/E: FE trades at 24.14 and NRG at 27.21. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, FE or NRG?
Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — FE at a 7.73% CAGR versus NRG at 15.13%.
Does FE or NRG pay a bigger dividend?
FE yields 3.95% and NRG yields 1.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FE or NRG more profitable?
FE runs the higher net margin — FE at 6.86% versus NRG at 2.31%.
How have FE and NRG total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, FE delivered 7.89% and NRG delivered 28.22% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.