AEP vs. CNP: American Electric Power vs. CenterPoint Energy Stock Comparison
How do American Electric Power (AEP) and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
American Electric Power (AEP) and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) both fall under the Utilities industry group, but AEP is classified in Electric Utilities while CNP is classified in Multi-Utilities.
| Profile Item | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| Name | American Electric Power Company, Inc. | CenterPoint Energy, Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry Group | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Electric Utilities | Multi-Utilities |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Electric Utilities | Multi-Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 68.90 billion USD | 26.95 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 8.60% | 5.91% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 22.18% | 18.08% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 12.81% | 11.79% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 18.45% | 18.24% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.46 | 0.44 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -29.56% | -22.81% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 3.64M | 6.95M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.23 | 0.09 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.33 | 0.12 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 10.60% and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 10.14% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
AEP
Utilities industry group
10.60%
- Max
- 17.99%
- Q3
- 12.01%
- AEP
- 10.60%
- Median
- 9.44%
- Q1
- 7.56%
- Min
- 2.17%
CNP
Utilities industry group
10.14%
- Max
- 17.99%
- Q3
- 12.01%
- CNP
- 10.14%
- Median
- 9.44%
- Q1
- 7.56%
- Min
- 2.17%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 14.21% and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 11.76% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
AEP
Utilities industry group
14.21%
- Max
- 28.78%
- Q3
- 17.30%
- AEP
- 14.21%
- Median
- 12.73%
- Q1
- 9.18%
- Min
- -0.20%
CNP
Utilities industry group
11.76%
- Max
- 28.78%
- Q3
- 17.30%
- Median
- 12.73%
- CNP
- 11.76%
- Q1
- 9.18%
- Min
- -0.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 26.89% and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 30.26% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
AEP
Utilities industry group
26.89%
- Max
- 53.83%
- Q3
- 31.12%
- AEP
- 26.89%
- Median
- 23.62%
- Q1
- 15.45%
- Min
- -4.90%
CNP
Utilities industry group
30.26%
- Max
- 53.83%
- Q3
- 31.12%
- CNP
- 30.26%
- Median
- 23.62%
- Q1
- 15.45%
- Min
- -4.90%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 10.60% | 10.14% |
| ROA (TTM) | 3.04% | 3.15% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 14.21% | 11.76% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 26.89% | 30.26% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 46.62% | 48.39% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 10.93% and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 8.26% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 19.35% and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 1.27% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 10.93% | 8.26% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 3.66% | 0.13% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 19.35% | 1.27% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 14.04% | 0.21% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 1.15 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while American Electric Power (AEP) at 0.51 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for AEP.
AEP
Utilities industry group
0.51
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.88
- Q1
- 0.66
- AEP
- 0.51
- Min
- 0.29
CNP
Utilities industry group
1.15
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.17
- CNP
- 1.15
- Median
- 0.88
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.29
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
American Electric Power (AEP) at 1.62 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 2.12 uses more debt funding than most peers.
AEP
Utilities industry group
1.62
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.77
- AEP
- 1.62
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.00
CNP
Utilities industry group
2.12
- Max
- 2.63
- CNP
- 2.12
- Q3
- 1.77
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.51 | 1.15 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.62 | 2.12 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 5.76 | 5.98 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 3.00% and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 2.30% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.
AEP
Utilities industry group
3.00%
- Max
- 6.66%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- AEP
- 3.00%
- Median
- 2.85%
- Q1
- 0.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNP
Utilities industry group
2.30%
- Max
- 6.66%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- Median
- 2.85%
- CNP
- 2.30%
- Q1
- 0.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 62.09% and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 52.87% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.
AEP
Utilities industry group
62.09%
- Max
- 113.04%
- Q3
- 68.72%
- AEP
- 62.09%
- Median
- 56.38%
- Q1
- 32.38%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNP
Utilities industry group
52.87%
- Max
- 113.04%
- Q3
- 68.72%
- Median
- 56.38%
- CNP
- 52.87%
- Q1
- 32.38%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.00% | 2.30% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 62.09% | 52.87% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
American Electric Power (AEP) at 20.67 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 23.37 sits in the richer quartile — CNP needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
AEP
Utilities industry group
20.67
- Max
- 31.22
- Q3
- 23.30
- AEP
- 20.67
- Median
- 19.64
- Q1
- 15.17
- Min
- 3.34
CNP
Utilities industry group
23.37
- Max
- 31.22
- CNP
- 23.37
- Q3
- 23.30
- Median
- 19.64
- Q1
- 15.17
- Min
- 3.34
P/S Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both American Electric Power (AEP) at 2.92 and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 2.74 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
AEP
Utilities industry group
2.92
- Max
- 6.35
- Q3
- 3.63
- AEP
- 2.92
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
CNP
Utilities industry group
2.74
- Max
- 6.35
- Q3
- 3.63
- CNP
- 2.74
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
American Electric Power (AEP) at 2.10 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 2.30 carries an above-peer premium to book — CNP is pricier on assets.
AEP
Utilities industry group
2.10
- Max
- 3.12
- Q3
- 2.21
- AEP
- 2.10
- Median
- 1.83
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.34
CNP
Utilities industry group
2.30
- Max
- 3.12
- CNP
- 2.30
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.83
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.34
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | AEP | CNP |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 20.67 | 23.37 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.92 | 2.74 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.10 | 2.30 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -11.28% | -18.50% |