NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) vs WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC)

WEC leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of NRG Energy, Inc. and WEC Energy Group, Inc. 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).

Compare

Total return — NRG vs WEC

growth of $100 · last 23y
NRG +1302.5%WEC +586.1%NRG compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $10020072011201520192023$1,402$686
NRG WEC

NRG vs WEC: by the numbers

  • WEC is the larger company ($36.54B vs $28.50B market cap).
  • WEC trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.39 vs 158.89 P/E).
  • WEC converts more revenue to profit (16.25% vs 0.74% net margin).
  • NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 5.21% CAGR).
  • WEC pays the higher dividend yield (3.29% vs 1.35%).

Which is better, NRG or WEC?

Metric tally: NRG 6 · WEC 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueWEC(lower P/E)
GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeWEC(higher dividend yield)
QualityNRG(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNRGWEC
P/E ratio158.8922.39
Forward P/E18.69
P/S ratio0.873.65
P/B ratio5.762.60
PEG ratio10.9721.18
EV / EBITDA19.9014.26

Profitability

MetricNRGWEC
Gross margin17.07%55.74%
Operating margin3.00%23.97%
Net margin0.74%16.25%
ROE4.90%11.57%
ROIC7.00%5.25%

Dividends

MetricNRGWEC
Dividend yield1.35%3.29%
Payout ratio44.74%75.93%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNRGWEC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.42%5.21%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.48%5.04%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-13.77%11.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)33.27%8.22%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NRG or WEC?
It depends on your goal. value: WEC (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: WEC (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, WEC leads 9 to 6.
Is NRG or WEC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, WEC is cheaper: NRG trades at a 158.89 P/E and WEC at 22.39.
Which has grown faster, NRG or WEC?
Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — NRG at a 16.42% CAGR versus WEC at 5.21%.
Does NRG or WEC pay a bigger dividend?
NRG yields 1.35% and WEC yields 3.29% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NRG or WEC more profitable?
WEC runs the higher net margin — NRG at 0.74% versus WEC at 16.25%.
Which has been the better investment, NRG or WEC?
Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — NRG at 27.69% versus WEC at 9.36%. 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 June 21, 2026.