Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)
LNT leads on 8 of 13 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Alliant Energy Corporation and NRG Energy, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
LNT
Alliant Energy Corporation
$73.96UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
NRG
NRG Energy, Inc.
$130.58UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — LNT vs NRG
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 23yLNT +1249.1%NRG +1725.3%NRG compounded faster
LNT NRG
LNT vs NRG: by the numbers
- •NRG is the larger company ($27.55B vs $19.10B market cap).
- •LNT trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.18 vs 151.89 P/E).
- •LNT converts more revenue to profit (18.58% vs 0.74% net margin).
- •NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 5.38% CAGR).
- •LNT pays the higher dividend yield (2.82% vs 1.42%).
Which is better, LNT or NRG?
Metric tally: LNT 8 · NRG 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueLNT(lower P/E)
GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeLNT(higher dividend yield)
QualityNRG(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | LNT | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.18● | 151.89 |
| Forward P/E | 21.63 | — |
| P/S ratio | 4.33 | 0.83● |
| P/B ratio | 2.58● | 5.51 |
| PEG ratio | 1.21● | 10.49 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.47 | 16.43 |
Profitability
| Metric | LNT | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 37.97%● | 17.07% |
| Operating margin | 23.01%● | 3.00% |
| Net margin | 18.58%● | 0.74% |
| ROE | 11.06%● | 4.90% |
| ROIC | 4.12% | 7.00%● |
Dividends
| Metric | LNT | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.82%● | 1.42% |
| Payout ratio | 66.19% | 44.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LNT | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.38% | 16.42%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.98% | 14.48%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | -13.77% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.30% | 30.62%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, LNT or NRG?
- It depends on your goal. value: LNT (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LNT (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LNT leads 8 to 5.
- Is LNT or NRG cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, LNT is cheaper: LNT trades at a 23.18 P/E and NRG at 151.89.
- Which has grown faster, LNT or NRG?
- Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — LNT at a 5.38% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.
- Does LNT or NRG pay a bigger dividend?
- LNT yields 2.82% and NRG yields 1.42% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is LNT or NRG more profitable?
- LNT runs the higher net margin — LNT at 18.58% versus NRG at 0.74%.
- Which has been the better investment, LNT or NRG?
- Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — LNT at 9.84% versus NRG at 27.06%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alliant Energy P/E ratioNRG Energy P/E ratioAlliant Energy dividend yieldNRG Energy dividend yieldAlliant Energy ROENRG Energy ROEAlliant Energy operating marginNRG Energy operating marginAlliant Energy revenue growthNRG Energy revenue growthAlliant Energy free cash flowNRG Energy free cash flow
Alliant Energy & 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 July 20, 2026.