MGE Energy (MGEE) vs NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Over five years, NWE leads with a +29.4% price change compared with -6.5% for MGEE. NorthWestern Energy Group is the larger company by market cap ($4.55 billion vs $2.66 billion), about 1.7 times the size. On valuation, MGE Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (16.8x vs 18.7x for NorthWestern Energy Group).
NorthWestern Energy Group offers the higher dividend yield (3.60% vs 2.70%).
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 | MGEE | NWE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $70.39 | $73.97 |
| Market cap | $2.66B | $4.55B |
| 1-day change | -0.28% | +7.33% |
| YTD return | -10.24% | — |
| 1-year return | -15.87% | — |
| 5-year return | -6.53% | +29.41% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.29 | 26.70 |
| Forward P/E | 16.78 | 18.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.07 | $2.77 |
| Dividend yield | 2.70% | 3.60% |
| Annual dividend | $1.90 | $2.66 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.61B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +6.38% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $181.09M |
| Operating margin | — | 20.23% |
| Net margin | — | 11.24% |
| 52-week high | $87.94 | $76.00 |
| 52-week low | $68.01 | $57.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.96% | -2.67% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.11% | -1.65% |
| Average volume | 182.79K | 411.92K |
| Shares outstanding | 37.75M | 61.52M |
| Employees | 726 | 1,667 |
| Sector | Energy | Utilities |
| Industry | Electric Utilities: Central | 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
- NorthWestern Energy Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.7x vs 17.3x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MGE Energy in Energy and NorthWestern Energy Group in Utilities.
About MGE Energy
MGEE stock →MGE Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility Operations; Regulated Gas Utility Operations; Nonregulated Energy Operations; Transmission Investments; and All Other segments.
Energy · Electric Utilities: Central · 726 employees
About NorthWestern Energy Group
NWE stock →NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and diversified industrial customers. It generates, purchases, transmits, and distributes electricity; and produces, purchases, stores, transmits, and distributes natural gas, as well as owns municipal franchises to provide natural gas service in the communities.
Utilities · Power Generation · 1,667 employees
MGEE vs NWE FAQ
Which is bigger, MGE Energy or NorthWestern Energy Group?
NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.55B compared with $2.66B for MGE Energy (MGEE).
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MGEE or NWE?
MGEE has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, versus 26.7 for NWE. 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, MGE Energy or NorthWestern Energy Group?
NorthWestern Energy Group has the higher yield at 3.60%, compared with 2.70% for MGE Energy.
Are MGE Energy and NorthWestern Energy Group in the same industry?
No. MGE Energy is in the Energy sector, while NorthWestern Energy Group is in Utilities.