AEP vs. LNT: American Electric Power vs. Alliant Energy Stock Comparison
How do American Electric Power (AEP) and Alliant Energy (LNT) 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 Alliant Energy (LNT) are both classified in the Electric Utilities sub-industry within the broader Electric Utilities industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | AEP | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Name | American Electric Power Company, Inc. | Alliant Energy Corporation |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry Group | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Electric Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Electric Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 68.90 billion USD | 18.85 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | AEP | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 8.60% | 12.31% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 22.18% | 18.55% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 12.81% | 9.28% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | AEP | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 18.45% | 17.65% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.46 | 0.50 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -29.56% | -25.59% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 3.64M | 2.73M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | AEP | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.23 | 0.46 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.33 | 0.66 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Alliant Energy (LNT) at 12.36% sits in the top ROE quartile, while American Electric Power (AEP) at 10.60% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for LNT.
AEP
Utilities industry group
10.60%
- Max
- 17.99%
- Q3
- 12.01%
- AEP
- 10.60%
- Median
- 9.44%
- Q1
- 7.56%
- Min
- 2.17%
LNT
Utilities industry group
12.36%
- Max
- 17.99%
- LNT
- 12.36%
- Q3
- 12.01%
- Median
- 9.44%
- Q1
- 7.56%
- Min
- 2.17%
Net Margin (TTM)
Alliant Energy (LNT) at 20.74% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of American Electric Power (AEP) at 14.21%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
AEP
Utilities industry group
14.21%
- Max
- 28.78%
- Q3
- 17.30%
- AEP
- 14.21%
- Median
- 12.73%
- Q1
- 9.18%
- Min
- -0.20%
LNT
Utilities industry group
20.74%
- Max
- 28.78%
- LNT
- 20.74%
- Q3
- 17.30%
- Median
- 12.73%
- Q1
- 9.18%
- Min
- -0.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 26.89% and Alliant Energy (LNT) at 30.27% 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%
LNT
Utilities industry group
30.27%
- Max
- 53.83%
- Q3
- 31.12%
- LNT
- 30.27%
- Median
- 23.62%
- Q1
- 15.45%
- Min
- -4.90%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | AEP | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 10.60% | 12.36% |
| ROA (TTM) | 3.04% | 2.47% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 14.21% | 20.74% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 26.89% | 30.27% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 46.62% | 45.05% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 10.93% and Alliant Energy (LNT) at 9.57% 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 Alliant Energy (LNT) at 16.73% 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 | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 10.93% | 9.57% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 3.66% | 1.23% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 19.35% | 16.73% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 14.04% | 4.77% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 0.51 and Alliant Energy (LNT) at 0.51 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
AEP
Utilities industry group
0.51
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.88
- Q1
- 0.66
- AEP
- 0.51
- Min
- 0.29
LNT
Utilities industry group
0.51
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.88
- Q1
- 0.66
- LNT
- 0.51
- Min
- 0.29
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 1.62 and Alliant Energy (LNT) at 1.61 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.
AEP
Utilities industry group
1.62
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.77
- AEP
- 1.62
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.00
LNT
Utilities industry group
1.61
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.77
- LNT
- 1.61
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | AEP | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.51 | 0.51 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.62 | 1.61 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 5.76 | 6.67 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 3.00% and Alliant Energy (LNT) at 2.88% 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%
LNT
Utilities industry group
2.88%
- Max
- 6.66%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- LNT
- 2.88%
- Median
- 2.85%
- Q1
- 0.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 62.09% and Alliant Energy (LNT) at 58.84% 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%
LNT
Utilities industry group
58.84%
- Max
- 113.04%
- Q3
- 68.72%
- LNT
- 58.84%
- Median
- 56.38%
- Q1
- 32.38%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | AEP | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.00% | 2.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 62.09% | 58.84% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 20.67 and Alliant Energy (LNT) at 20.24 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
AEP
Utilities industry group
20.67
- Max
- 31.22
- Q3
- 23.30
- AEP
- 20.67
- Median
- 19.64
- Q1
- 15.17
- Min
- 3.34
LNT
Utilities industry group
20.24
- Max
- 31.22
- Q3
- 23.30
- LNT
- 20.24
- Median
- 19.64
- Q1
- 15.17
- Min
- 3.34
P/S Ratio (TTM)
American Electric Power (AEP) at 2.92 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Alliant Energy (LNT) at 4.18 sits in the pricier quartile — LNT costs more per dollar of sales.
AEP
Utilities industry group
2.92
- Max
- 6.35
- Q3
- 3.63
- AEP
- 2.92
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
LNT
Utilities industry group
4.18
- Max
- 6.35
- LNT
- 4.18
- Q3
- 3.63
- 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 Alliant Energy (LNT) at 2.41 carries an above-peer premium to book — LNT 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
LNT
Utilities industry group
2.41
- Max
- 3.12
- LNT
- 2.41
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.83
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.34
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | AEP | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 20.67 | 20.24 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.92 | 4.18 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.10 | 2.41 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -11.28% | -8.11% |