NRG Energy (NRG) vs Talen Energy (TLN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Talen Energy (TLN) has outperformed NRG Energy (NRG) over the past year, losing 19.4% versus a loss of 36.5%. NRG Energy is the larger company by market cap ($22.35 billion vs $16.99 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while Talen Energy is growing revenue faster (+22.0% vs +9.2%). On valuation, NRG Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (9.5x vs 11.7x for Talen Energy).
NRG Energy pays a dividend yielding 1.75%, while Talen Energy does not currently pay one. NRG Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2.8% versus -8.5%.
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 | TLN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $106.32 | $359.22 |
| Market cap | $22.35B | $16.99B |
| 1-day change | -2.11% | -5.05% |
| YTD return | -33.23% | -4.17% |
| 1-year return | -36.53% | -19.43% |
| 5-year return | +157.93% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 27.83 | — |
| Forward P/E | 9.50 | 11.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.82 | $-4.13 |
| Dividend yield | 1.75% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.87 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $30.71B | $2.58B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.18% | +22.03% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $864.00M | $-219.00M |
| Gross margin | 19.38% | — |
| Operating margin | 6.01% | -3.49% |
| Net margin | 2.81% | -8.49% |
| 52-week high | $189.96 | $449.84 |
| 52-week low | $93.36 | $279.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -44.03% | -20.15% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +74.47% | +26.84% |
| Average volume | 2.88M | 868.99K |
| Shares outstanding | 210.21M | 47.30M |
| Employees | 16,702 | 1,880 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Utilities - Independent Power Producers | 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
- TLN has outperformed NRG by 17.1 percentage points over the past year.
- NRG Energy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.75% vs 0.00%).
- NRG Energy is more profitable, keeping 2.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -8.5 cents for Talen Energy.
- Talen Energy grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+22.03% vs +9.18%).
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 · Utilities - Independent Power Producers · 16,702 employees
About Talen Energy
TLN stock →Talen Energy Corporation, an independent power producer and infrastructure company, produces and sells electricity, capacity, and ancillary services into wholesale power markets in the United States. The company's plants generate power using a variety of fuels, such as nuclear, fossil, oil, natural gas, and coal power plants.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 1,880 employees
NRG vs TLN FAQ
Which is bigger, NRG Energy or Talen Energy?
NRG Energy (NRG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $22.35B compared with $16.99B for Talen Energy (TLN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NRG or TLN?
TLN returned -19.43% over the past 12 months, compared with -36.53% for NRG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, NRG Energy or Talen Energy?
NRG Energy pays a dividend yielding 1.75%, while Talen Energy does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are NRG Energy and Talen Energy in the same industry?
Both are in the Utilities sector, but in different industries: Utilities - Independent Power Producers for NRG Energy and Electric Utilities: Central for Talen Energy.