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 30y
NEE +1504.3%XEL +243.5%NEE compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,604$344
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 4

It 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

MetricNEEXEL
P/E ratio21.8822.63
Forward P/E19.5017.45
P/S ratio6.373.35
P/B ratio3.252.08
PEG ratio1.265.39
EV / EBITDA16.3814.00
FCF yield1.32%

Profitability

MetricNEEXEL
Gross margin67.32%18.91%
Operating margin29.20%19.85%
Net margin29.03%14.14%
ROE14.82%8.78%
ROIC4.23%3.77%

Dividends

MetricNEEXEL
Dividend yield2.77%2.19%
Payout ratio71.89%50.36%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNEEXEL
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.

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.