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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnNRG vs PPL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
NRG +1064.5% (+27.8%/yr)PPL +51.0% (+4.2%/yr)NRG compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$1,164$151
NRG PPL

NRG vs PPL: by the numbers

  • PPL is the larger company ($25.09B vs $21.87B market cap).
  • PPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.73 vs 27.21 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • PPL converts more revenue to profit (13.47% vs 2.31% net margin).
  • NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.13% vs 8.98% CAGR).
  • PPL pays the higher dividend yield (3.31% vs 1.64%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNRGPPL
P/E ratio27.2119.73
Forward P/E11.6617.10
P/S ratio0.602.67
P/B ratio4.501.67
EV / EBITDA10.7911.95
FCF yield1.59%N/A

Profitability

MetricNRGPPL
Gross margin16.42%42.73%
Operating margin5.38%24.02%
Net margin2.31%13.47%
ROE17.49%8.41%
ROIC5.38%4.24%

Dividends

MetricNRGPPL
Dividend yield1.64%3.31%
Payout ratio48.95%66.72%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNRGPPL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)15.13%8.98%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.48%-3.60%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-22.77%-17.12%
Total return CAGR (5Y)24.35%6.46%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, NRG or PPL?
PPL has the lower trailing P/E: NRG trades at 27.21 and PPL at 19.73. 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 8.98%.
Does NRG or PPL pay a bigger dividend?
NRG yields 1.64% and PPL yields 3.31% 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 13.47%.
How have NRG and PPL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, NRG delivered 28.22% and PPL delivered 4.60% 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 September 13, 2026.