Consolidated Edison (ED) vs Xcel Energy (XEL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Consolidated Edison (ED) has outperformed Xcel Energy (XEL) over the past year, gaining 4.6% versus a loss of 11.5%. Over five years, ED leads with a +40.5% price change compared with +9.8% for XEL. Xcel Energy is the larger company by market cap ($45.24 billion vs $38.70 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Consolidated Edison is growing revenue faster (+10.9% vs +9.1%).
On valuation, Xcel Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (16.0x vs 16.1x for Consolidated Edison). Consolidated Edison offers the higher dividend yield (3.32% vs 3.21%). Xcel Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.8% versus 12.0%.
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 | ED | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $104.64 | $72.42 |
| Market cap | $38.70B | $45.24B |
| 1-day change | -0.46% | -0.43% |
| YTD return | +5.36% | -1.95% |
| 1-year return | +4.60% | -11.52% |
| 5-year return | +40.51% | +9.84% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.24 | 19.84 |
| Forward P/E | 16.10 | 15.96 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.07 | $3.65 |
| Dividend yield | 3.32% | 3.21% |
| Annual dividend | $3.48 | $2.33 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.92B | $14.67B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.89% | +9.14% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.02B | $2.02B |
| Operating margin | 17.35% | 17.61% |
| Net margin | 11.96% | 13.76% |
| 52-week high | $116.23 | $84.23 |
| 52-week low | $94.96 | $68.72 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.97% | -14.02% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.49% | +25.12% |
| Average volume | 2.21M | 5.31M |
| Shares outstanding | 369.83M | 624.63M |
| Employees | 15,407 | 11,534 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Power Generation | Power Generation |
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
- ED has outperformed XEL by 16.1 percentage points over the past year.
About Consolidated Edison
ED stock →Consolidated Edison, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. The company offers electric services to approximately 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,490 customers in parts of Manhattan.
Utilities · Power Generation · 15,407 employees
About Xcel Energy
XEL stock →Xcel Energy Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas delivery company in the United States. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility and Regulated Natural Gas Utility segments.
Utilities · Power Generation · 11,534 employees
ED vs XEL FAQ
Which is bigger, Consolidated Edison or Xcel Energy?
Xcel Energy (XEL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $45.24B compared with $38.70B for Consolidated Edison (ED).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ED or XEL?
ED returned +4.60% over the past 12 months, compared with -11.52% for XEL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ED or XEL?
ED has the lower trailing P/E at 17.2, versus 19.8 for XEL. 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, Consolidated Edison or Xcel Energy?
Consolidated Edison has the higher yield at 3.32%, compared with 3.21% for Xcel Energy.
Are Consolidated Edison and Xcel Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Power Generation industry within the Utilities sector.