NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) vs Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL)
NEE leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of NextEra Energy, Inc. 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 — NEE vs XEL
growth of $100 · last 30yNEE +1504.3%XEL +243.5%NEE compounded faster
NEE XEL
NEE vs XEL: by the numbers
- •NEE is the larger company ($179.32B vs $49.45B market cap).
- •NEE trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.88 vs 22.63 P/E).
- •NEE converts more revenue to profit (29.03% vs 14.14% net margin).
- •NEE grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.50% vs 3.82% CAGR).
- •NEE pays the higher dividend yield (2.77% vs 2.19%).
Which is better, NEE or XEL?
Metric tally: NEE 11 · XEL 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNEE(lower P/E)
GrowthNEE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNEE(higher dividend yield)
QualityNEE(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.88● | 22.63 |
| Forward P/E | 19.50 | 17.45● |
| P/S ratio | 6.37 | 3.35● |
| P/B ratio | 3.25 | 2.08● |
| PEG ratio | 1.26● | 5.39 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.38 | 14.00● |
| FCF yield | 1.32% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | NEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 67.32%● | 18.91% |
| Operating margin | 29.20%● | 19.85% |
| Net margin | 29.03%● | 14.14% |
| ROE | 14.82%● | 8.78% |
| ROIC | 4.23%● | 3.77% |
Dividends
| Metric | NEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.77%● | 2.19% |
| Payout ratio | 71.89% | 50.36% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.50%● | 3.82% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.31%● | 4.20% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 65.74%● | -15.80% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.93% | 5.94% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, NEE or XEL?
- It depends on your goal. value: NEE (lower P/E); growth: NEE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NEE (higher dividend yield); quality: NEE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NEE leads 11 to 4.
- Is NEE or XEL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NEE is cheaper: NEE trades at a 21.88 P/E and XEL at 22.63.
- Which has grown faster, NEE or XEL?
- Over the past five years, NEE grew revenue faster — NEE at a 10.50% CAGR versus XEL at 3.82%.
- Does NEE or XEL pay a bigger dividend?
- NEE yields 2.77% and XEL yields 2.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is NEE or XEL more profitable?
- NEE runs the higher net margin — NEE at 29.03% versus XEL at 14.14%.
- Which has been the better investment, NEE or XEL?
- Over the past 10-year, NEE delivered the higher annualized total return — NEE at 13.61% versus XEL at 9.68%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
NextEra Energy P/E ratioXcel Energy P/E ratioNextEra Energy dividend yieldXcel Energy dividend yieldNextEra Energy ROEXcel Energy ROENextEra Energy operating marginXcel Energy operating marginNextEra Energy revenue growthXcel Energy revenue growthNextEra Energy free cash flowXcel Energy free cash flow
NextEra Energy & 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.