FirstEnergy (FE) vs Vistra (VST)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
FirstEnergy (FE) has outperformed Vistra (VST) over the past year, losing 3.9% versus a loss of 16.5%. Over five years, VST leads with a +747.2% price change compared with +21.7% for FE. Vistra is the larger company by market cap ($55.96 billion vs $25.80 billion), about 2.2 times the size, while FirstEnergy is growing revenue faster (+12.0% vs +3.0%).
On valuation, FirstEnergy trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 16.0x for Vistra). FirstEnergy offers the higher dividend yield (4.04% vs 0.55%). FirstEnergy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.8% 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 | FE | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $44.58 | $166.72 |
| Market cap | $25.80B | $55.96B |
| 1-day change | +0.72% | +3.88% |
| YTD return | -0.42% | +3.34% |
| 1-year return | -3.94% | -16.48% |
| 5-year return | +21.74% | +747.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.84 | 28.11 |
| Forward P/E | 15.12 | 16.01 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.87 | $5.93 |
| Dividend yield | 4.04% | 0.55% |
| Annual dividend | $1.80 | $0.91 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $15.09B | $17.74B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.01% | +2.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.02B | $944.00M |
| Operating margin | 14.62% | 10.75% |
| Net margin | 6.76% | 5.32% |
| 52-week high | $52.34 | $217.10 |
| 52-week low | $42.67 | $132.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.83% | -23.21% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.15% | +26.11% |
| Average volume | 4.28M | 4.95M |
| Shares outstanding | 578.64M | 335.64M |
| Employees | 11,186 | 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 2.2 times larger than FirstEnergy by market value ($55.96B vs $25.80B).
- FE has outperformed VST by 12.5 percentage points over the past year.
- FirstEnergy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.04% vs 0.55%).
- FirstEnergy grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+12.01% vs +2.98%).
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 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
FE vs VST FAQ
Which is bigger, FirstEnergy or Vistra?
Vistra (VST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $55.96B compared with $25.80B for FirstEnergy (FE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FE or VST?
FE returned -3.94% 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, FE or VST?
FE has the lower trailing P/E at 23.8, versus 28.1 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, FirstEnergy or Vistra?
FirstEnergy has the higher yield at 4.04%, compared with 0.55% for Vistra.
Are FirstEnergy and Vistra in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.