NiSource Inc. (NI) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)
NI leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of NiSource Inc. 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).
Total return — NI vs NRG
growth of $100 · last 23yNI +486.4%NRG +1302.5%NRG compounded faster
NI NRG
NI vs NRG: by the numbers
- •NRG is the larger company ($28.50B vs $22.66B market cap).
- •NI trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.51 vs 158.89 P/E).
- •NI converts more revenue to profit (14.10% vs 0.74% net margin).
- •NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 8.10% CAGR).
- •NI pays the higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 1.35%).
Which is better, NI or NRG?
Metric tally: NI 10 · NRG 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNI(lower P/E)
GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNI(higher dividend yield)
QualityNRG(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NI | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.51● | 158.89 |
| Forward P/E | 21.10 | — |
| P/S ratio | 3.33 | 0.87● |
| P/B ratio | 2.35● | 5.76 |
| PEG ratio | 1.05● | 10.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.63● | 19.90 |
Profitability
| Metric | NI | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 55.92%● | 17.07% |
| Operating margin | 27.78%● | 3.00% |
| Net margin | 14.10%● | 0.74% |
| ROE | 9.96%● | 4.90% |
| ROIC | 4.51% | 7.00%● |
Dividends
| Metric | NI | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.45%● | 1.35% |
| Payout ratio | 59.18% | 44.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NI | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.10% | 16.42%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.27% | 14.48% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -7.40%● | -13.77% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 17.34% | 33.27%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, NI or NRG?
- It depends on your goal. value: NI (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NI (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NI leads 10 to 4.
- Is NI or NRG cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NI is cheaper: NI trades at a 23.51 P/E and NRG at 158.89.
- Which has grown faster, NI or NRG?
- Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — NI at a 8.10% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.
- Does NI or NRG pay a bigger dividend?
- NI yields 2.45% and NRG yields 1.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is NI or NRG more profitable?
- NI runs the higher net margin — NI at 14.10% versus NRG at 0.74%.
- Which has been the better investment, NI or NRG?
- Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — NI at 9.89% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
NiSource P/E ratioNRG Energy P/E ratioNiSource dividend yieldNRG Energy dividend yieldNiSource ROENRG Energy ROENiSource operating marginNRG Energy operating marginNiSource revenue growthNRG Energy revenue growthNiSource free cash flowNRG Energy free cash flow
NiSource & 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 June 21, 2026.