MGE Energy (MGEE) vs Otter Tail (OTTR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Otter Tail (OTTR) has outperformed MGE Energy (MGEE) over the past year, gaining 14.0% versus a loss of 15.9%. Over five years, OTTR leads with a +50.9% price change compared with -6.1% for MGEE. Otter Tail is the larger company by market cap ($3.71 billion vs $2.67 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while MGE Energy is growing revenue faster (+9.9% vs -2.3%).
On valuation, Otter Tail trades at a lower forward P/E (16.6x vs 16.9x for MGE Energy). MGE Energy offers the higher dividend yield (2.69% vs 2.50%). Otter Tail converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 21.2% versus 18.3%.
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 | MGEE | OTTR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $70.73 | $88.33 |
| Market cap | $2.67B | $3.71B |
| 1-day change | +0.48% | +0.30% |
| YTD return | -9.81% | +9.31% |
| 1-year return | -15.91% | +14.03% |
| 5-year return | -6.08% | +50.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.38 | 19.08 |
| Forward P/E | 16.86 | 16.58 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.07 | $4.63 |
| Dividend yield | 2.69% | 2.50% |
| Annual dividend | $1.90 | $2.21 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $743.65M | $1.30B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.85% | -2.28% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $135.89M | $275.89M |
| Gross margin | — | 69.02% |
| Operating margin | 22.95% | 26.60% |
| Net margin | 18.27% | 21.23% |
| 52-week high | $87.94 | $95.09 |
| 52-week low | $68.01 | $74.15 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.57% | -7.11% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +8.58% | +2.46% |
| Average volume | 180.60K | 242.27K |
| Shares outstanding | 37.75M | 41.99M |
| Employees | 726 | 2,198 |
| Sector | Energy | Industrials |
| Industry | Electric Utilities: Central | Conglomerates |
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
- OTTR has outperformed MGEE by 29.9 percentage points over the past year.
- MGE Energy grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.85% vs -2.28%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MGE Energy in Energy and Otter Tail in Industrials.
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 Otter Tail
OTTR stock →Otter Tail Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in electric utility, manufacturing, and plastic pipe businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Electric, Manufacturing, and Plastics.
Industrials · Conglomerates · 2,198 employees
MGEE vs OTTR FAQ
Which is bigger, MGE Energy or Otter Tail?
Otter Tail (OTTR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.71B compared with $2.67B for MGE Energy (MGEE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MGEE or OTTR?
OTTR returned +14.03% over the past 12 months, compared with -15.91% for MGEE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MGEE or OTTR?
MGEE has the lower trailing P/E at 17.4, versus 19.1 for OTTR. 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 Otter Tail?
MGE Energy has the higher yield at 2.69%, compared with 2.50% for Otter Tail.
Are MGE Energy and Otter Tail in the same industry?
No. MGE Energy is in the Energy sector, while Otter Tail is in Industrials.