TransAlta (TAC) vs Talen Energy (TLN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Talen Energy (TLN) has outperformed TransAlta (TAC) over the past year, losing 12.2% versus a loss of 14.1%. Talen Energy is the larger company by market cap ($16.99 billion vs $4.08 billion), about 4.2 times the size. On valuation, Talen Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (11.7x vs 31.0x for TransAlta).
TransAlta pays a dividend yielding 2.06%, while Talen Energy does not currently pay one.
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 | TAC | TLN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $12.89 | $359.22 |
| Market cap | $4.08B | $16.99B |
| 1-day change | +0.08% | -5.05% |
| YTD return | +1.90% | +0.93% |
| 1-year return | -14.13% | -12.23% |
| 5-year return | +14.49% | — |
| Forward P/E | 31.04 | 11.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-0.22 | $-4.13 |
| Dividend yield | 2.06% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.265 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $2.58B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +22.03% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $-219.00M |
| Operating margin | — | -3.49% |
| Net margin | — | -8.49% |
| 52-week high | $17.88 | $449.84 |
| 52-week low | $11.38 | $279.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.91% | -20.15% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +0.70% | +26.84% |
| Average volume | 1.74M | 857.41K |
| Shares outstanding | 316.30M | 47.30M |
| Employees | 1,350 | 1,880 |
| 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
- Talen Energy is about 4.2 times larger than TransAlta by market value ($16.99B vs $4.08B).
- TransAlta offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.06% vs 0.00%).
About TransAlta
TAC stock →TransAlta Corporation engages in the development, production, and sale of electric energy. It operates through Hydro, Wind and Solar, Gas, Energy Transition, and Energy Marketing segments.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 1,350 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
TAC vs TLN FAQ
Which is bigger, TransAlta or Talen Energy?
Talen Energy (TLN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $16.99B compared with $4.08B for TransAlta (TAC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, TAC or TLN?
TLN returned -12.23% over the past 12 months, compared with -14.13% for TAC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, TransAlta or Talen Energy?
TransAlta pays a dividend yielding 2.06%, while Talen Energy does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are TransAlta and Talen Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.