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.

Compare

Total returnNRG vs PPL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 23y
NRG +1536.3%PPL +396.2%NRG compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $10020072011201520192023$1,636$496
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

MetricNRGPPL
P/E ratio30.7221.45
Forward P/E12.7118.04
P/S ratio0.672.86
P/B ratio5.061.77
PEG ratio2.120.98
EV / EBITDA11.4312.48
FCF yield1.42%N/A

Profitability

MetricNRGPPL
Gross margin16.42%35.29%
Operating margin5.38%23.50%
Net margin2.31%13.09%
ROE17.49%8.12%
ROIC7.00%4.06%

Dividends

MetricNRGPPL
Dividend yield1.56%3.17%
Payout ratio44.74%70.13%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNRGPPL
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.

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.