CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP) vs FirstEnergy (FE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP) has outperformed FirstEnergy (FE) over the past year, losing 2.3% versus a loss of 3.8%. Over five years, CNP leads with a +44.5% price change compared with +21.9% for FE. FirstEnergy is the larger company by market cap ($25.80 billion vs $25.38 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, FirstEnergy trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 18.5x for CenterPoint Energy (Holding)). FirstEnergy offers the higher dividend yield (4.04% vs 2.34%). CenterPoint Energy (Holding) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.2% 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 | CNP | FE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.53 | $44.58 |
| Market cap | $25.38B | $25.80B |
| 1-day change | -0.08% | +0.72% |
| YTD return | +0.50% | -0.26% |
| 1-year return | -2.28% | -3.78% |
| 5-year return | +44.52% | +21.94% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.80 | 23.84 |
| Forward P/E | 18.46 | 15.12 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.69 | $1.87 |
| Dividend yield | 2.34% | 4.04% |
| Annual dividend | $0.90 | $1.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $9.36B | $15.09B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.26% | +12.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.05B | $1.02B |
| Gross margin | 99.96% | — |
| Operating margin | 22.55% | 14.62% |
| Net margin | 11.24% | 6.76% |
| 52-week high | $45.26 | $52.34 |
| 52-week low | $36.37 | $42.67 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.87% | -14.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.95% | +18.15% |
| Average volume | 6.40M | 4.28M |
| Shares outstanding | 658.72M | 578.64M |
| Employees | 8,794 | 11,186 |
| Sector | Utilities | 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
- FirstEnergy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.04% vs 2.34%).
About CenterPoint Energy (Holding)
CNP stock →CenterPoint Energy, Inc. operates as a public utility holding company in the United States.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 8,794 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
CNP vs FE FAQ
Which is bigger, CenterPoint Energy (Holding) or FirstEnergy?
FirstEnergy (FE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.80B compared with $25.38B for CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNP or FE?
CNP returned -2.28% over the past 12 months, compared with -3.78% for FE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CNP or FE?
CNP has the lower trailing P/E at 22.8, 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, CenterPoint Energy (Holding) or FirstEnergy?
FirstEnergy has the higher yield at 4.04%, compared with 2.34% for CenterPoint Energy (Holding).
Are CenterPoint Energy (Holding) and FirstEnergy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.