PPL (PPL) vs Vistra (VST)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
PPL (PPL) has outperformed Vistra (VST) over the past year, losing 8.6% versus a loss of 24.4%. Over five years, VST leads with a +693.4% price change compared with +18.2% for PPL. Vistra is the larger company by market cap ($52.41 billion vs $25.66 billion), about 2.0 times the size, while PPL is growing revenue faster (+6.9% vs +3.0%).
On valuation, Vistra trades at a lower forward P/E (15.0x vs 16.1x for PPL). PPL offers the higher dividend yield (3.27% vs 0.58%). PPL converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.1% versus 5.3%.
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 | PPL | VST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $34.10 | $156.14 |
| Market cap | $25.66B | $52.41B |
| 1-day change | +0.44% | -6.35% |
| YTD return | -2.63% | -3.22% |
| 1-year return | -8.55% | -24.41% |
| 5-year return | +18.20% | +693.39% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.18 | 26.33 |
| Forward P/E | 16.09 | 14.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.69 | $5.93 |
| Dividend yield | 3.27% | 0.58% |
| Annual dividend | $1.12 | $0.91 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $9.04B | $17.74B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.85% | +2.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.18B | $944.00M |
| Operating margin | 23.55% | 10.75% |
| Net margin | 13.06% | 5.32% |
| 52-week high | $40.11 | $217.10 |
| 52-week low | $31.56 | $132.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.98% | -28.08% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.68% | +34.65% |
| Average volume | 7.52M | 5.22M |
| Shares outstanding | 752.54M | 335.64M |
| Employees | 6,546 | 6,390 |
| 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
- Vistra is about 2.0 times larger than PPL by market value ($52.41B vs $25.66B).
- PPL has outperformed VST by 15.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Vistra trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.3x vs 20.2x trailing P/E).
- PPL offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.27% vs 0.58%).
- PPL is more profitable, keeping 13.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.3 cents for Vistra.
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
About Vistra
VST stock →Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company in the United States. The company operates through five segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, and Asset Closure.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 6,390 employees
PPL vs VST FAQ
Which is bigger, PPL or Vistra?
Vistra (VST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $52.41B compared with $25.66B for PPL (PPL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PPL or VST?
PPL returned -8.55% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.41% for VST (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PPL or VST?
PPL has the lower trailing P/E at 20.2, versus 26.3 for VST. 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, PPL or Vistra?
PPL has the higher yield at 3.27%, compared with 0.58% for Vistra.
Are PPL and Vistra in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.