NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) vs PPL Corporation (PPL)
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 August 5, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NRG
NRG Energy, Inc.
$120.77UtilitiesDelayed quote: Aug 5, 2026, 1:50 PM EDT
PPL
PPL Corporation
$34.80UtilitiesDelayed quote: Aug 5, 2026, 1:50 PM EDT
Total return — NRG vs PPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 23yNRG +1536.3%PPL +396.2%NRG compounded faster
NRG PPL
NRG vs PPL: by the numbers
- •PPL is the larger company ($26.19B vs $25.48B market cap).
- •PPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.45 vs 30.72 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PPL converts more revenue to profit (13.09% vs 2.31% net margin).
- •NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.13% vs 8.87% CAGR).
- •PPL pays the higher dividend yield (3.17% vs 1.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.72 | 21.45 |
| Forward P/E | 12.71 | 18.04 |
| P/S ratio | 0.67 | 2.86 |
| P/B ratio | 5.06 | 1.77 |
| PEG ratio | 2.12 | 0.98 |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.43 | 12.48 |
| FCF yield | 1.42% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 16.42% | 35.29% |
| Operating margin | 5.38% | 23.50% |
| Net margin | 2.31% | 13.09% |
| ROE | 17.49% | 8.12% |
| ROIC | 7.00% | 4.06% |
Dividends
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.56% | 3.17% |
| Payout ratio | 44.74% | 70.13% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.13% | 8.87% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.48% | -3.60% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -22.77% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 26.16% | 8.14% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NRG or PPL?
- PPL has the lower trailing P/E: NRG trades at 30.72 and PPL at 21.45. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, NRG or PPL?
- Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — NRG at a 15.13% CAGR versus PPL at 8.87%.
- Does NRG or PPL pay a bigger dividend?
- NRG yields 1.56% and PPL yields 3.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is NRG or PPL more profitable?
- PPL runs the higher net margin — NRG at 2.31% versus PPL at 13.09%.
- How have NRG and PPL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, NRG delivered 26.43% and PPL delivered 3.98% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
NRG Energy P/E ratioPPL P/E ratioNRG Energy dividend yieldPPL dividend yieldNRG Energy ROEPPL ROENRG Energy operating marginPPL operating marginNRG Energy revenue growthPPL revenue growthNRG Energy free cash flowPPL free cash flow
NRG Energy & PPL 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 August 5, 2026.