AES (AES) vs IDACORP (IDA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
AES (AES) has outperformed IDACORP (IDA) over the past year, gaining 3.7% versus a loss of 1.2%. Over five years, IDA leads with a +25.5% price change compared with -38.8% for AES. AES is the larger company by market cap ($10.65 billion vs $7.64 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, AES trades at a lower forward P/E (6.3x vs 19.0x for IDACORP). AES offers the higher dividend yield (4.72% vs 2.65%). IDACORP converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.5% 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 | IDA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $14.93 | $132.04 |
| Market cap | $10.65B | $7.64B |
| 1-day change | 0.00% | -0.48% |
| YTD return | +4.11% | +4.33% |
| 1-year return | +3.68% | -1.24% |
| 5-year return | -38.84% | +25.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 5.59 | 21.90 |
| Forward P/E | 6.30 | 18.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.67 | $6.03 |
| Dividend yield | 4.72% | 2.65% |
| Annual dividend | $0.704 | $3.50 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.23B | $1.75B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -0.37% | -1.24% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $910.00M | $323.47M |
| Gross margin | 18.07% | — |
| Operating margin | — | 20.26% |
| Net margin | 7.44% | 18.52% |
| 52-week high | $17.65 | $154.91 |
| 52-week low | $13.21 | $124.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.41% | -14.76% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +0.47% | +19.15% |
| Average volume | 7.84M | 536.95K |
| Shares outstanding | 713.44M | 57.84M |
| Employees | 8,336 | 2,174 |
| 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
- IDACORP trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.9x vs 5.6x trailing P/E).
- AES offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.72% vs 2.65%).
- IDACORP is more profitable, keeping 18.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.4 cents for AES.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: AES in Industrials and IDACORP 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 IDACORP
IDA stock →IDACORP, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, purchase, and sale of electric energy in the United States. The company operates 17 hydropower generating plants located in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon; and three natural gas-fired plants situated in southern Idaho, as well as interests in a coal-fired and natural gas-fired steam generating plant located in Wyoming; and interests in a coal-fired steam generating plant situated in Nevada.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 2,174 employees
AES vs IDA FAQ
Which is bigger, AES or IDACORP?
AES (AES) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.65B compared with $7.64B for IDACORP (IDA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AES or IDA?
AES returned +3.68% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.24% for IDA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AES or IDA?
AES has the lower trailing P/E at 5.6, versus 21.9 for IDA. 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 IDACORP?
AES has the higher yield at 4.72%, compared with 2.65% for IDACORP.
Are AES and IDACORP in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Industrials sector.