FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) vs Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL)
FE leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though XEL is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of FirstEnergy Corp. 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).
Total return — FE vs XEL
growth of $100 · last 30yFE +124.0%XEL +243.5%XEL compounded faster
FE XEL
FE vs XEL: by the numbers
- •XEL is the larger company ($49.45B vs $27.20B market cap).
- •XEL trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.63 vs 25.63 P/E).
- •XEL converts more revenue to profit (14.14% vs 6.86% net margin).
- •FE grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.52% vs 3.82% CAGR).
- •FE pays the higher dividend yield (3.83% vs 2.93%).
Which is better, FE or XEL?
Metric tally: FE 9 · XEL 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueXEL(lower P/E)
GrowthFE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFE(higher dividend yield)
QualityFE(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.63 | 22.63● |
| Forward P/E | 15.97● | 17.45 |
| P/S ratio | 1.76● | 3.35 |
| P/B ratio | 2.16 | 2.08● |
| PEG ratio | 6.15 | 5.39● |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.32● | 14.00 |
| FCF yield | 6.58% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | FE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 53.77%● | 18.91% |
| Operating margin | 18.72% | 19.85%● |
| Net margin | 6.86% | 14.14%● |
| ROE | 8.42% | 8.78%● |
| ROIC | 4.46%● | 3.77% |
Dividends
| Metric | FE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.83%● | 2.93% |
| Payout ratio | 101.69% | 67.59% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.52%● | 3.82% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -2.32% | 4.20%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.07%● | -15.80% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.26%● | 5.94% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, FE or XEL?
- It depends on your goal. value: XEL (lower P/E); growth: FE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FE (higher dividend yield); quality: FE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FE leads 9 to 7.
- Is FE or XEL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, XEL is cheaper: FE trades at a 25.63 P/E and XEL at 22.63.
- Which has grown faster, FE or XEL?
- Over the past five years, FE grew revenue faster — FE at a 7.52% CAGR versus XEL at 3.82%.
- Does FE or XEL pay a bigger dividend?
- FE yields 3.83% and XEL yields 2.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FE or XEL more profitable?
- XEL runs the higher net margin — FE at 6.86% versus XEL at 14.14%.
- Which has been the better investment, FE or XEL?
- Over the past 10-year, XEL delivered the higher annualized total return — FE at 7.77% versus XEL at 9.68%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
FirstEnergy P/E ratioXcel Energy P/E ratioFirstEnergy dividend yieldXcel Energy dividend yieldFirstEnergy ROEXcel Energy ROEFirstEnergy operating marginXcel Energy operating marginFirstEnergy revenue growthXcel Energy revenue growthFirstEnergy free cash flowXcel Energy free cash flow
FirstEnergy & Xcel 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 14, 2026.