NextEra Energy (NEE) vs Xcel Energy (XEL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
NextEra Energy (NEE) has outperformed Xcel Energy (XEL) over the past year, losing 7.6% versus a loss of 11.0%. Over five years, XEL leads with a +10.5% price change compared with -5.9% for NEE. NextEra Energy is the larger company by market cap ($160.75 billion vs $45.24 billion), about 3.6 times the size.
On valuation, Xcel Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (16.0x vs 17.6x for NextEra Energy). Xcel Energy offers the higher dividend yield (3.21% vs 3.09%). NextEra Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.5% versus 13.8%.
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 | NEE | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $77.06 | $72.42 |
| Market cap | $160.75B | $45.24B |
| 1-day change | -1.05% | -0.43% |
| YTD return | -4.25% | -1.39% |
| 1-year return | -7.63% | -11.02% |
| 5-year return | -5.88% | +10.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.32 | 19.84 |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 15.96 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.45 | $3.65 |
| Dividend yield | 3.09% | 3.21% |
| Annual dividend | $2.38 | $2.33 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $25.80B | $14.67B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.79% | +9.14% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.83B | $2.02B |
| Operating margin | 32.09% | 17.61% |
| Net margin | 26.49% | 13.76% |
| 52-week high | $98.75 | $84.23 |
| 52-week low | $74.41 | $68.72 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.96% | -14.02% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.42% | +25.12% |
| Average volume | 11.31M | 5.30M |
| Shares outstanding | 2.09B | 624.63M |
| Employees | 17,400 | 11,534 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Utilities - Regulated Electric | Utilities - Regulated Electric |
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
- NextEra Energy is about 3.6 times larger than Xcel Energy by market value ($160.75B vs $45.24B).
- NextEra Energy is more profitable, keeping 26.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 13.8 cents for Xcel Energy.
About NextEra Energy
NEE stock →NextEra Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, generates, stores, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. It operates through Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and NEER segments.
Utilities · Utilities - Regulated Electric · 17,400 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 · Utilities - Regulated Electric · 11,534 employees
NEE vs XEL FAQ
Which is bigger, NextEra Energy or Xcel Energy?
NextEra Energy (NEE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $160.75B compared with $45.24B for Xcel Energy (XEL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NEE or XEL?
NEE returned -7.63% over the past 12 months, compared with -11.02% for XEL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NEE or XEL?
NEE has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, 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, NextEra Energy or Xcel Energy?
Xcel Energy has the higher yield at 3.21%, compared with 3.09% for NextEra Energy.
Are NextEra Energy and Xcel Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Utilities - Regulated Electric industry within the Utilities sector.