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).

Compare

Total return — FE vs NRG

growth of $100 · last 23y
FE +33.5%NRG +1302.5%NRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020072011201520192023$133$1,402
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 5

It 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

MetricFENRG
P/E ratio25.31158.89
Forward P/E15.77
P/S ratio1.740.87
P/B ratio2.135.76
PEG ratio6.1410.97
EV / EBITDA12.2519.90
FCF yield6.66%

Profitability

MetricFENRG
Gross margin53.77%17.07%
Operating margin18.72%3.00%
Net margin6.86%0.74%
ROE8.42%4.90%
ROIC4.46%7.00%

Dividends

MetricFENRG
Dividend yield3.88%1.35%
Payout ratio101.69%44.74%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFENRG
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.

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.