CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP) vs NRG Energy (NRG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP) has outperformed NRG Energy (NRG) over the past year, losing 2.9% versus a loss of 36.5%. Over five years, NRG leads with a +157.9% price change compared with +43.6% for CNP. CenterPoint Energy (Holding) is the larger company by market cap ($25.31 billion vs $22.35 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while NRG Energy is growing revenue faster (+9.2% vs +8.3%).
On valuation, NRG Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (9.5x vs 18.4x for CenterPoint Energy (Holding)). CenterPoint Energy (Holding) offers the higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 1.75%). CenterPoint Energy (Holding) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.2% versus 2.8%.
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 | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.42 | $106.32 |
| Market cap | $25.31B | $22.35B |
| 1-day change | -0.29% | -2.11% |
| YTD return | +0.21% | -33.23% |
| 1-year return | -2.88% | -36.53% |
| 5-year return | +43.63% | +157.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.73 | 27.83 |
| Forward P/E | 18.41 | 9.50 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.69 | $3.82 |
| Dividend yield | 2.34% | 1.75% |
| Annual dividend | $0.90 | $1.87 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $9.36B | $30.71B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.26% | +9.18% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.05B | $864.00M |
| Gross margin | 99.96% | 19.38% |
| Operating margin | 22.55% | 6.01% |
| Net margin | 11.24% | 2.81% |
| 52-week high | $45.26 | $189.96 |
| 52-week low | $36.37 | $93.36 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.11% | -44.03% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.28% | +74.47% |
| Average volume | 6.46M | 2.88M |
| Shares outstanding | 658.72M | 210.21M |
| Employees | 8,794 | 16,702 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Electric Utilities: Central | Utilities - Independent Power Producers |
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
- CNP has outperformed NRG by 33.7 percentage points over the past year.
- CenterPoint Energy (Holding) is more profitable, keeping 11.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.8 cents for NRG Energy.
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 NRG Energy
NRG stock →NRG Energy, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy and home services company in the United States and Canada. It operates through the Texas, East, West/Other, Vivint Smart Home, and Corporate Activities segments.
Utilities · Utilities - Independent Power Producers · 16,702 employees
CNP vs NRG FAQ
Which is bigger, CenterPoint Energy (Holding) or NRG Energy?
CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.31B compared with $22.35B for NRG Energy (NRG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNP or NRG?
CNP returned -2.88% over the past 12 months, compared with -36.53% for NRG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CNP or NRG?
CNP has the lower trailing P/E at 22.7, versus 27.8 for NRG. 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 NRG Energy?
CenterPoint Energy (Holding) has the higher yield at 2.34%, compared with 1.75% for NRG Energy.
Are CenterPoint Energy (Holding) and NRG Energy in the same industry?
Both are in the Utilities sector, but in different industries: Electric Utilities: Central for CenterPoint Energy (Holding) and Utilities - Independent Power Producers for NRG Energy.