CMS Energy (CMS) vs FirstEnergy (FE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
FirstEnergy (FE) has outperformed CMS Energy (CMS) over the past year, losing 3.9% versus a loss of 11.8%. Over five years, FE leads with a +21.7% price change compared with +7.9% for CMS. FirstEnergy is the larger company by market cap ($25.80 billion vs $20.40 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while CMS Energy is growing revenue faster (+13.6% vs +12.0%).
On valuation, FirstEnergy trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 15.7x for CMS Energy). FirstEnergy offers the higher dividend yield (4.04% vs 3.42%). CMS Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.5% versus 6.8%.
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 | CMS | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $65.07 | $44.58 |
| Market cap | $20.40B | $25.80B |
| 1-day change | 0.00% | +0.72% |
| YTD return | -6.95% | -0.42% |
| 1-year return | -11.78% | -3.94% |
| 5-year return | +7.91% | +21.74% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.54 | 23.84 |
| Forward P/E | 15.66 | 15.12 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.33 | $1.87 |
| Dividend yield | 3.42% | 4.04% |
| Annual dividend | $2.23 | $1.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.54B | $15.09B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +13.63% | +12.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.07B | $1.02B |
| Operating margin | 20.22% | 14.62% |
| Net margin | 12.54% | 6.76% |
| 52-week high | $80.36 | $52.34 |
| 52-week low | $62.29 | $42.67 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.03% | -14.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.23% | +18.15% |
| Average volume | 3.70M | 4.28M |
| Shares outstanding | 313.58M | 578.64M |
| Employees | 8,350 | 11,186 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Power Generation | 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
- CMS Energy is more profitable, keeping 12.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.8 cents for FirstEnergy.
About CMS Energy
CMS stock →CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and NorthStar Clean Energy.
Utilities · Power Generation · 8,350 employees
About FirstEnergy
FE stock →FirstEnergy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, distribution, and transmission of electricity in the United States. It operates through Distribution, Integrated, and Stand-Alone Transmission segments.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 11,186 employees
CMS vs FE FAQ
Which is bigger, CMS Energy or FirstEnergy?
FirstEnergy (FE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.80B compared with $20.40B for CMS Energy (CMS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CMS or FE?
FE returned -3.94% over the past 12 months, compared with -11.78% for CMS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CMS or FE?
CMS has the lower trailing P/E at 19.5, versus 23.8 for FE. 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, CMS Energy or FirstEnergy?
FirstEnergy has the higher yield at 4.04%, compared with 3.42% for CMS Energy.
Are CMS Energy and FirstEnergy in the same industry?
Both are in the Utilities sector, but in different industries: Power Generation for CMS Energy and Electric Utilities: Central for FirstEnergy.