CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP) vs Vistra (VST)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP) has outperformed Vistra (VST) over the past year, losing 2.9% versus a loss of 16.5%. Over five years, VST leads with a +747.2% price change compared with +43.6% for CNP. Vistra is the larger company by market cap ($52.41 billion vs $25.31 billion), about 2.1 times the size, while CenterPoint Energy (Holding) is growing revenue faster (+8.3% vs +3.0%).
On valuation, Vistra trades at a lower forward P/E (15.0x vs 18.4x for CenterPoint Energy (Holding)). CenterPoint Energy (Holding) offers the higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 0.58%). CenterPoint Energy (Holding) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.2% versus 5.3%.
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 | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.42 | $156.14 |
| Market cap | $25.31B | $52.41B |
| 1-day change | -0.29% | -6.35% |
| YTD return | +0.21% | +3.34% |
| 1-year return | -2.88% | -16.48% |
| 5-year return | +43.63% | +747.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.73 | 26.33 |
| Forward P/E | 18.41 | 14.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.69 | $5.93 |
| Dividend yield | 2.34% | 0.58% |
| Annual dividend | $0.90 | $0.91 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $9.36B | $17.74B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.26% | +2.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.05B | $944.00M |
| Gross margin | 99.96% | — |
| Operating margin | 22.55% | 10.75% |
| Net margin | 11.24% | 5.32% |
| 52-week high | $45.26 | $217.10 |
| 52-week low | $36.37 | $132.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.11% | -28.08% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.28% | +34.65% |
| Average volume | 6.44M | 5.09M |
| Shares outstanding | 658.72M | 335.64M |
| Employees | 8,794 | 6,390 |
| 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
- Vistra is about 2.1 times larger than CenterPoint Energy (Holding) by market value ($52.41B vs $25.31B).
- CNP has outperformed VST by 13.6 percentage points over the past year.
- CenterPoint Energy (Holding) offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 0.58%).
- CenterPoint Energy (Holding) is more profitable, keeping 11.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.3 cents for Vistra.
- CenterPoint Energy (Holding) grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.26% vs +2.98%).
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 Vistra
VST stock →Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company in the United States. The company operates through five segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, and Asset Closure.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 6,390 employees
CNP vs VST FAQ
Which is bigger, CenterPoint Energy (Holding) or Vistra?
Vistra (VST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $52.41B compared with $25.31B for CenterPoint Energy (Holding) (CNP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNP or VST?
CNP returned -2.88% over the past 12 months, compared with -16.48% for VST (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CNP or VST?
CNP has the lower trailing P/E at 22.7, versus 26.3 for VST. 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 Vistra?
CenterPoint Energy (Holding) has the higher yield at 2.34%, compared with 0.58% for Vistra.
Are CenterPoint Energy (Holding) and Vistra in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.