AES (AES) vs Clearway Energy (CWEN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
AES (AES) has outperformed Clearway Energy (CWEN) over the past year, gaining 3.7% versus a loss of 2.2%. Over five years, CWEN leads with a -3.0% price change compared with -38.8% for AES. AES is the larger company by market cap ($10.65 billion vs $7.34 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Clearway Energy is growing revenue faster (+4.2% vs -0.4%).
On valuation, AES trades at a lower forward P/E (6.3x vs 18.2x for Clearway Energy). Clearway Energy offers the higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 4.72%). Clearway Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.8% versus 7.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AES | CWEN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $14.92 | $29.75 |
| Market cap | $10.65B | $7.34B |
| 1-day change | -0.05% | -1.80% |
| YTD return | +4.11% | -8.93% |
| 1-year return | +3.68% | -2.23% |
| 5-year return | -38.84% | -2.98% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 5.59 | 38.63 |
| Forward P/E | 6.29 | 18.16 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.67 | $0.77 |
| Dividend yield | 4.72% | 6.14% |
| Annual dividend | $0.704 | $1.83 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.23B | $1.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -0.37% | +4.23% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $910.00M | $169.00M |
| Gross margin | 18.07% | 62.91% |
| Operating margin | — | 11.20% |
| Net margin | 7.44% | 11.83% |
| 52-week high | $17.65 | $41.74 |
| 52-week low | $13.21 | $28.57 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.46% | -28.74% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +0.52% | +39.52% |
| Average volume | 7.79M | 1.18M |
| Shares outstanding | 713.44M | 121.17M |
| Employees | 8,336 | — |
| Sector | Industrials | Utilities |
| Industry | Electric Utilities: Central | Electric Utilities: Central |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Clearway Energy trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.6x vs 5.6x trailing P/E).
- Clearway Energy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 4.72%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: AES in Industrials and Clearway Energy in Utilities.
About AES
AES stock →The AES Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a power generation and utility company. It operates through four segments: Renewables, Utilities, Energy Infrastructure, and New Energy Technologies.
Industrials · Electric Utilities: Central · 8,336 employees
About Clearway Energy
CWEN stock →Clearway Energy, Inc. operates in the clean energy generation assets business in the United States.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central
AES vs CWEN FAQ
Which is bigger, AES or Clearway Energy?
AES (AES) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.65B compared with $7.34B for Clearway Energy (CWEN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AES or CWEN?
AES returned +3.68% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.23% for CWEN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AES or CWEN?
AES has the lower trailing P/E at 5.6, versus 38.6 for CWEN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AES or Clearway Energy?
Clearway Energy has the higher yield at 6.14%, compared with 4.72% for AES.
Are AES and Clearway Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Industrials sector.