NRG Energy (NRG) vs PPL (PPL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
PPL (PPL) has outperformed NRG Energy (NRG) over the past year, losing 9.4% versus a loss of 33.2%. Over five years, NRG leads with a +163.5% price change compared with +17.7% for PPL. PPL is the larger company by market cap ($25.55 billion vs $22.83 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while NRG Energy is growing revenue faster (+9.2% vs +6.9%).
On valuation, NRG Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (9.7x vs 16.0x for PPL). PPL offers the higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 1.72%). PPL converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.1% 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 | NRG | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $108.61 | $33.95 |
| Market cap | $22.83B | $25.55B |
| 1-day change | +4.84% | +0.74% |
| YTD return | -31.79% | -3.06% |
| 1-year return | -33.21% | -9.44% |
| 5-year return | +163.49% | +17.68% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.43 | 20.09 |
| Forward P/E | 9.71 | 16.02 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.82 | $1.69 |
| Dividend yield | 1.72% | 3.28% |
| Annual dividend | $1.87 | $1.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $30.71B | $9.04B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.18% | +6.85% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $864.00M | $1.18B |
| Gross margin | 19.38% | — |
| Operating margin | 6.01% | 23.55% |
| Net margin | 2.81% | 13.06% |
| 52-week high | $189.96 | $40.11 |
| 52-week low | $93.36 | $31.56 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -42.82% | -15.36% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +70.79% | +18.20% |
| Average volume | 2.84M | 7.47M |
| Shares outstanding | 210.21M | 752.54M |
| Employees | 16,702 | 6,546 |
| 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
- PPL has outperformed NRG by 23.8 percentage points over the past year.
- NRG Energy trades at a higher earnings multiple (28.4x vs 20.1x trailing P/E).
- PPL offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 1.72%).
- PPL is more profitable, keeping 13.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.8 cents for NRG Energy.
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
About PPL
PPL stock →PPL Corporation provides electricity and natural gas to approximately 3.6 million customers in the United States. It operates in three segments: Kentucky Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated, and Rhode Island Regulated.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 6,546 employees
NRG vs PPL FAQ
Which is bigger, NRG Energy or PPL?
PPL (PPL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.55B compared with $22.83B for NRG Energy (NRG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NRG or PPL?
PPL returned -9.44% 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, NRG or PPL?
PPL has the lower trailing P/E at 20.1, versus 28.4 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, NRG Energy or PPL?
PPL has the higher yield at 3.28%, compared with 1.72% for NRG Energy.
Are NRG Energy and PPL in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.