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.
NRG
NRG Energy, Inc.
$103.66UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PPL
PPL Corporation
$33.34UtilitiesDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — NRG vs PPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yNRG +1064.5% (+27.8%/yr)PPL +51.0% (+4.2%/yr)NRG compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 27.21 | 19.73 |
| Forward P/E | 11.66 | 17.10 |
| P/S ratio | 0.60 | 2.67 |
| P/B ratio | 4.50 | 1.67 |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.79 | 11.95 |
| FCF yield | 1.59% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 16.42% | 42.73% |
| Operating margin | 5.38% | 24.02% |
| Net margin | 2.31% | 13.47% |
| ROE | 17.49% | 8.41% |
| ROIC | 5.38% | 4.24% |
Dividends
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.64% | 3.31% |
| Payout ratio | 48.95% | 66.72% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 September 13, 2026.