FirstEnergy (FE) 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
FirstEnergy (FE) has outperformed NRG Energy (NRG) over the past year, losing 3.9% versus a loss of 33.2%. Over five years, NRG leads with a +163.5% price change compared with +21.7% for FE. FirstEnergy is the larger company by market cap ($25.80 billion vs $22.83 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, NRG Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (9.7x vs 15.1x for FirstEnergy). FirstEnergy offers the higher dividend yield (4.04% vs 1.72%). FirstEnergy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.8% 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 | FE | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $44.58 | $108.61 |
| Market cap | $25.80B | $22.83B |
| 1-day change | +0.72% | +4.84% |
| YTD return | -0.42% | -31.79% |
| 1-year return | -3.94% | -33.21% |
| 5-year return | +21.74% | +163.49% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.84 | 27.15 |
| Forward P/E | 15.12 | 9.71 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.87 | $4.00 |
| Dividend yield | 4.04% | 1.72% |
| Annual dividend | $1.80 | $1.87 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $15.09B | $30.71B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.01% | +9.18% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.02B | $864.00M |
| Gross margin | — | 19.38% |
| Operating margin | 14.62% | 6.01% |
| Net margin | 6.76% | 2.81% |
| 52-week high | $52.34 | $189.96 |
| 52-week low | $42.67 | $93.36 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.83% | -42.82% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.15% | +70.79% |
| Average volume | 4.28M | 2.84M |
| Shares outstanding | 578.64M | 210.21M |
| Employees | 11,186 | 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
- FE has outperformed NRG by 29.3 percentage points over the past year.
- FirstEnergy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.04% vs 1.72%).
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
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
FE vs NRG FAQ
Which is bigger, FirstEnergy or NRG Energy?
FirstEnergy (FE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.80B compared with $22.83B for NRG Energy (NRG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FE or NRG?
FE returned -3.94% 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, FE or NRG?
FE has the lower trailing P/E at 23.8, versus 27.2 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, FirstEnergy or NRG Energy?
FirstEnergy has the higher yield at 4.04%, compared with 1.72% for NRG Energy.
Are FirstEnergy and NRG Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.