NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) vs PPL Corporation (PPL)

PPL leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of NRG Energy, Inc. and PPL Corporation 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).

Compare

Total return — NRG vs PPL

growth of $100 · last 23y
NRG +1302.5%PPL +87.7%NRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020072011201520192023$1,402$188
NRG PPL

NRG vs PPL: by the numbers

  • NRG is the larger company ($28.50B vs $26.62B market cap).
  • PPL trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.57 vs 158.89 P/E).
  • PPL converts more revenue to profit (13.09% vs 0.74% net margin).
  • NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 8.87% CAGR).
  • PPL pays the higher dividend yield (3.15% vs 1.35%).

Which is better, NRG or PPL?

Metric tally: NRG 5 · PPL 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePPL(lower P/E)
GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePPL(higher dividend yield)
QualityNRG(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNRGPPL
P/E ratio158.8921.57
Forward P/E16.70
P/S ratio0.872.88
P/B ratio5.761.78
PEG ratio10.970.66
EV / EBITDA19.9012.01

Profitability

MetricNRGPPL
Gross margin17.07%35.20%
Operating margin3.00%23.53%
Net margin0.74%13.09%
ROE4.90%8.12%
ROIC7.00%4.07%

Dividends

MetricNRGPPL
Dividend yield1.35%3.15%
Payout ratio44.74%69.69%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNRGPPL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.42%8.87%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.48%-3.48%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-13.77%-4.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)33.27%8.90%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NRG or PPL?
It depends on your goal. value: PPL (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PPL (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PPL leads 10 to 5.
Is NRG or PPL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, PPL is cheaper: NRG trades at a 158.89 P/E and PPL at 21.57.
Which has grown faster, NRG or PPL?
Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — NRG at a 16.42% CAGR versus PPL at 8.87%.
Does NRG or PPL pay a bigger dividend?
NRG yields 1.35% and PPL yields 3.15% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NRG or PPL more profitable?
PPL runs the higher net margin — NRG at 0.74% versus PPL at 13.09%.
Which has been the better investment, NRG or PPL?
Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — NRG at 27.69% versus PPL at 3.46%. 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 21, 2026.