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).
Total return — NRG vs PPL
growth of $100 · last 23yNRG +1302.5%PPL +87.7%NRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 10It 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
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 158.89 | 21.57● |
| Forward P/E | — | 16.70 |
| P/S ratio | 0.87● | 2.88 |
| P/B ratio | 5.76 | 1.78● |
| PEG ratio | 10.97 | 0.66● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.90 | 12.01● |
Profitability
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 17.07% | 35.20%● |
| Operating margin | 3.00% | 23.53%● |
| Net margin | 0.74% | 13.09%● |
| ROE | 4.90% | 8.12%● |
| ROIC | 7.00%● | 4.07% |
Dividends
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.35% | 3.15%● |
| Payout ratio | 44.74% | 69.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 June 21, 2026.