AES (AES) vs Pinnacle West Capital (PNW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Pinnacle West Capital (PNW) has outperformed AES (AES) over the past year, gaining 6.6% versus a gain of 1.4%. Over five years, PNW leads with a +44.0% price change compared with -38.8% for AES. Pinnacle West Capital is the larger company by market cap ($11.87 billion vs $10.65 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, AES trades at a lower forward P/E (6.3x vs 17.5x for Pinnacle West Capital). AES offers the higher dividend yield (4.72% vs 3.70%). Pinnacle West Capital 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 | PNW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $14.93 | $97.98 |
| Market cap | $10.65B | $11.87B |
| 1-day change | 0.00% | +0.45% |
| YTD return | +4.11% | +10.46% |
| 1-year return | +1.36% | +6.56% |
| 5-year return | -38.84% | +44.05% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 5.59 | 18.81 |
| Forward P/E | 6.30 | 17.54 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.67 | $5.21 |
| Dividend yield | 4.72% | 3.70% |
| Annual dividend | $0.704 | $3.63 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.23B | $5.34B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -0.37% | +4.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $910.00M | $631.64M |
| Gross margin | 18.07% | 63.79% |
| Operating margin | — | 19.99% |
| Net margin | 7.44% | 11.83% |
| 52-week high | $17.65 | $111.16 |
| 52-week low | $13.21 | $86.18 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.41% | -11.86% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +0.47% | +5.05% |
| Average volume | 7.58M | 1.18M |
| Shares outstanding | 713.44M | 121.20M |
| Employees | 8,336 | 6,610 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Utilities - Diversified | Utilities - Regulated Electric |
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
- Pinnacle West Capital trades at a higher earnings multiple (18.8x vs 5.6x trailing P/E).
- AES offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.72% vs 3.70%).
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.
Utilities · Utilities - Diversified · 8,336 employees
About Pinnacle West Capital
PNW stock →Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, provides retail and wholesale electric services in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using nuclear, gas, oil, coal, and solar generating facilities.
Utilities · Utilities - Regulated Electric · 6,610 employees
AES vs PNW FAQ
Which is bigger, AES or Pinnacle West Capital?
Pinnacle West Capital (PNW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.87B compared with $10.65B for AES (AES).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AES or PNW?
PNW returned +6.56% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.36% for AES (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AES or PNW?
AES has the lower trailing P/E at 5.6, versus 18.8 for PNW. 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 Pinnacle West Capital?
AES has the higher yield at 4.72%, compared with 3.70% for Pinnacle West Capital.
Are AES and Pinnacle West Capital in the same industry?
Both are in the Utilities sector, but in different industries: Utilities - Diversified for AES and Utilities - Regulated Electric for Pinnacle West Capital.