DTE Energy (DTE) vs NRG Energy (NRG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
DTE Energy (DTE) has outperformed NRG Energy (NRG) over the past year, losing 10.7% versus a loss of 33.2%. Over five years, NRG leads with a +163.5% price change compared with +10.6% for DTE. DTE Energy is the larger company by market cap ($26.48 billion vs $22.83 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, NRG Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (9.7x vs 15.2x for DTE Energy). DTE Energy offers the higher dividend yield (3.60% vs 1.72%). DTE Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.2% 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 | DTE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $127.24 | $108.61 |
| Market cap | $26.48B | $22.83B |
| 1-day change | -0.76% | +4.84% |
| YTD return | -1.35% | -31.79% |
| 1-year return | -10.65% | -33.21% |
| 5-year return | +10.61% | +163.49% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.16 | 28.43 |
| Forward P/E | 15.21 | 9.71 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.31 | $3.82 |
| Dividend yield | 3.60% | 1.72% |
| Annual dividend | $4.59 | $1.87 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $15.81B | $30.71B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +26.95% | +9.18% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.46B | $864.00M |
| Gross margin | — | 19.38% |
| Operating margin | 15.01% | 6.01% |
| Net margin | 9.24% | 2.81% |
| 52-week high | $155.75 | $189.96 |
| 52-week low | $119.68 | $93.36 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.30% | -42.82% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.99% | +70.79% |
| Average volume | 1.52M | 2.88M |
| Shares outstanding | 208.09M | 210.21M |
| Employees | 9,592 | 16,702 |
| 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
- DTE has outperformed NRG by 22.6 percentage points over the past year.
- NRG Energy trades at a higher earnings multiple (28.4x vs 20.2x trailing P/E).
- DTE Energy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.60% vs 1.72%).
- DTE Energy is more profitable, keeping 9.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.8 cents for NRG Energy.
- DTE Energy grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+26.95% vs +9.18%).
About DTE Energy
DTE stock →DTE Energy Company engages in energy-related businesses and services. The company operates through four segments: Electric, Gas, DTE Vantage, and Energy Trading.The company's Electric segment generates, purchases, distributes, and sells electricity to approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 9,592 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 · Electric Utilities: Central · 16,702 employees
DTE vs NRG FAQ
Which is bigger, DTE Energy or NRG Energy?
DTE Energy (DTE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $26.48B compared with $22.83B for NRG Energy (NRG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DTE or NRG?
DTE returned -10.65% over the past 12 months, compared with -33.21% for NRG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DTE or NRG?
DTE has the lower trailing P/E at 20.2, versus 28.4 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, DTE Energy or NRG Energy?
DTE Energy has the higher yield at 3.60%, compared with 1.72% for NRG Energy.
Are DTE Energy and NRG Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.