Pacific Gas & Electric (PCG) vs Xcel Energy (XEL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Xcel Energy (XEL) has outperformed Pacific Gas & Electric (PCG) over the past year, losing 11.5% versus a loss of 21.0%. Over five years, PCG leads with a +14.2% price change compared with +9.8% for XEL. Xcel Energy is the larger company by market cap ($45.45 billion vs $38.37 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Pacific Gas & Electric trades at a lower forward P/E (7.1x vs 16.0x for Xcel Energy). Xcel Energy offers the higher dividend yield (3.19% vs 1.37%). Xcel Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.8% versus 10.8%.
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 | PCG | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $12.78 | $72.77 |
| Market cap | $38.37B | $45.45B |
| 1-day change | +0.03% | +0.48% |
| YTD return | -20.41% | -1.95% |
| 1-year return | -21.05% | -11.52% |
| 5-year return | +14.20% | +9.84% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.26 | 19.94 |
| Forward P/E | 7.09 | 16.04 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.38 | $3.65 |
| Dividend yield | 1.37% | 3.19% |
| Annual dividend | $0.175 | $2.33 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $24.93B | $14.67B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.11% | +9.14% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.70B | $2.02B |
| Operating margin | 19.05% | 17.61% |
| Net margin | 10.84% | 13.76% |
| 52-week high | $19.16 | $84.23 |
| 52-week low | $11.77 | $68.72 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -33.30% | -13.61% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +47.19% | +24.52% |
| Average volume | 36.62M | 5.31M |
| Shares outstanding | 2.20B | 624.63M |
| Employees | 29,010 | 11,534 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Power Generation | 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
- Xcel Energy trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.9x vs 9.3x trailing P/E).
- Xcel Energy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.19% vs 1.37%).
- Xcel Energy grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.14% vs +2.11%).
About Pacific Gas & Electric
PCG stock →PG&E Corporation, through its subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, engages in the sale and delivery of electricity and natural gas to customers in northern and central California, the United States. It generates electricity using nuclear, hydroelectric, fossil fuel-fired, fuel cells, and photovoltaic sources.
Utilities · Power Generation · 29,010 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 · Power Generation · 11,534 employees
PCG vs XEL FAQ
Which is bigger, Pacific Gas & Electric or Xcel Energy?
Xcel Energy (XEL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $45.45B compared with $38.37B for Pacific Gas & Electric (PCG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PCG or XEL?
XEL returned -11.52% over the past 12 months, compared with -21.05% for PCG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PCG or XEL?
PCG has the lower trailing P/E at 9.3, versus 19.9 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, Pacific Gas & Electric or Xcel Energy?
Xcel Energy has the higher yield at 3.19%, compared with 1.37% for Pacific Gas & Electric.
Are Pacific Gas & Electric and Xcel Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Power Generation industry within the Utilities sector.