FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)
FE leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.
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 June 21, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — FE vs NRG
growth of $100 · last 23yFE +33.5%NRG +1302.5%NRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
FE NRG
FE vs NRG: by the numbers
- •NRG is the larger company ($28.50B vs $26.87B market cap).
- •FE trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.31 vs 158.89 P/E).
- •FE converts more revenue to profit (6.86% vs 0.74% net margin).
- •NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 7.52% CAGR).
- •FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.88% vs 1.35%).
Which is better, FE or NRG?
Metric tally: FE 10 · NRG 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueFE(lower P/E)
GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFE(higher dividend yield)
QualityNRG(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.31● | 158.89 |
| Forward P/E | 15.77 | — |
| P/S ratio | 1.74 | 0.87● |
| P/B ratio | 2.13● | 5.76 |
| PEG ratio | 6.14● | 10.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.25● | 19.90 |
| FCF yield | 6.66% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | FE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 53.77%● | 17.07% |
| Operating margin | 18.72%● | 3.00% |
| Net margin | 6.86%● | 0.74% |
| ROE | 8.42%● | 4.90% |
| ROIC | 4.46% | 7.00%● |
Dividends
| Metric | FE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.88%● | 1.35% |
| Payout ratio | 101.69% | 44.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.52% | 16.42%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -2.32% | 14.48%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.07%● | -13.77% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.93% | 33.27%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, FE or NRG?
- It depends on your goal. value: FE (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FE (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FE leads 10 to 5.
- Is FE or NRG cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, FE is cheaper: FE trades at a 25.31 P/E and NRG at 158.89.
- Which has grown faster, FE or NRG?
- Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — FE at a 7.52% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.
- Does FE or NRG pay a bigger dividend?
- FE yields 3.88% and NRG yields 1.35% 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 0.74%.
- Which has been the better investment, FE or NRG?
- Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — FE at 7.45% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
FirstEnergy P/E ratioNRG Energy P/E ratioFirstEnergy dividend yieldNRG Energy dividend yieldFirstEnergy ROENRG Energy ROEFirstEnergy operating marginNRG Energy operating marginFirstEnergy revenue growthNRG Energy revenue growthFirstEnergy free cash flowNRG Energy free cash flow
FirstEnergy & NRG Energy 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 21, 2026.