CEG vs. NRG: Constellation Energy vs. NRG Energy Stock Comparison
How do Constellation Energy (CEG) and NRG Energy (NRG) 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
Constellation Energy (CEG) and NRG Energy (NRG) are both classified in the Electric Utilities sub-industry within the broader Electric Utilities industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
NRG Energy (NRG) has more than two decades of public-market history since December 2, 2003, whereas Constellation Energy (CEG) listed on January 19, 2022 and has a much shorter record to draw on.
| Profile Item | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Constellation Energy Corporation | NRG Energy, Inc. |
| 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 | 88.56 billion USD | 18.56 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 19, 2022 | December 2, 2003 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -23.27% | -43.14% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 32.21% | 31.18% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -- | 25.79% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 49.44% | 52.51% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.11 | 1.20 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -50.70% | -55.72% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 3.37M | 3.15M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.56 | -0.90 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.78 | -1.19 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but NRG Energy (NRG) at 23.77% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Constellation Energy (CEG) at 15.06% also sits in the top quartile.
CEG
Utilities industry group
15.06%
- Max
- 17.99%
- CEG
- 15.06%
- Q3
- 12.01%
- Median
- 9.44%
- Q1
- 7.56%
- Min
- 2.17%
NRG
Utilities industry group
23.77%
- NRG
- 23.77%
- Max
- 17.99%
- Q3
- 12.01%
- Median
- 9.44%
- Q1
- 7.56%
- Min
- 2.17%
Net Margin (TTM)
Constellation Energy (CEG) at 11.08% keeps about the industry-typical share of revenue as profit, while NRG Energy (NRG) at 2.56% retains only a bottom-quartile share.
CEG
Utilities industry group
11.08%
- Max
- 28.78%
- Q3
- 17.30%
- Median
- 12.73%
- CEG
- 11.08%
- Q1
- 9.18%
- Min
- -0.20%
NRG
Utilities industry group
2.56%
- Max
- 28.78%
- Q3
- 17.30%
- Median
- 12.73%
- Q1
- 9.18%
- NRG
- 2.56%
- Min
- -0.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Constellation Energy (CEG) at 8.66% and NRG Energy (NRG) at 12.77% generate less operating profit per sales dollar than peers, sitting in the lower operating margin quartile of their industries.
CEG
Utilities industry group
8.66%
- Max
- 53.83%
- Q3
- 31.12%
- Median
- 23.62%
- Q1
- 15.45%
- CEG
- 8.66%
- Min
- -4.90%
NRG
Utilities industry group
12.77%
- Max
- 53.83%
- Q3
- 31.12%
- Median
- 23.62%
- Q1
- 15.45%
- NRG
- 12.77%
- Min
- -4.90%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 15.06% | 23.77% |
| ROA (TTM) | 3.89% | 4.06% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 11.08% | 2.56% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 8.66% | 12.77% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 22.11% | 18.80% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Constellation Energy (CEG) at 8.34% and NRG Energy (NRG) at 9.18% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both Constellation Energy (CEG) at -37.76% and NRG Energy (NRG) at -19.64% post bottom-quartile EPS growth versus peers, pointing to weaker earnings momentum than typical rivals.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 8.34% | 9.18% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 1.47% | -0.88% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -37.76% | -19.64% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | -8.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
NRG Energy (NRG) at 0.97 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Constellation Energy (CEG) at 1.46 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.
CEG
Utilities industry group
1.46
- Max
- 1.90
- CEG
- 1.46
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.88
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.29
NRG
Utilities industry group
0.97
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.17
- NRG
- 0.97
- Median
- 0.88
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.29
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Constellation Energy (CEG) at 0.76 keeps leverage in the lower quartile, while NRG Energy (NRG) at 4.83 is above its industry debt-to-equity ratio range.
CEG
Utilities industry group
0.76
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.77
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.84
- CEG
- 0.76
- Min
- 0.00
NRG
Utilities industry group
4.83
- NRG
- 4.83
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.77
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.46 | 0.97 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.76 | 4.83 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 3.02 | 7.16 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Constellation Energy (CEG) at 0.68% and NRG Energy (NRG) at 2.32% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.
CEG
Utilities industry group
0.68%
- Max
- 6.66%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- Median
- 2.85%
- CEG
- 0.68%
- Q1
- 0.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
NRG
Utilities industry group
2.32%
- Max
- 6.66%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- Median
- 2.85%
- NRG
- 2.32%
- Q1
- 0.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
NRG Energy (NRG) at 47.91% keeps its payout within the industry’s typical band; Constellation Energy (CEG) at 15.92% pays out less than peers usually do, retaining more of its earnings — a policy difference more than a quality gap.
CEG
Utilities industry group
15.92%
- Max
- 113.04%
- Q3
- 68.72%
- Median
- 56.38%
- Q1
- 32.38%
- CEG
- 15.92%
- Min
- 0.00%
NRG
Utilities industry group
47.91%
- Max
- 113.04%
- Q3
- 68.72%
- Median
- 56.38%
- NRG
- 47.91%
- Q1
- 32.38%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.68% | 2.32% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 15.92% | 47.91% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
NRG Energy (NRG) at 23.11 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Constellation Energy (CEG) at 24.43 sits in the richer quartile — CEG needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
CEG
Utilities industry group
24.43
- Max
- 31.22
- CEG
- 24.43
- Q3
- 23.30
- Median
- 19.64
- Q1
- 15.17
- Min
- 3.34
NRG
Utilities industry group
23.11
- Max
- 31.22
- Q3
- 23.30
- NRG
- 23.11
- Median
- 19.64
- Q1
- 15.17
- Min
- 3.34
P/S Ratio (TTM)
NRG Energy (NRG) at 0.56 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Constellation Energy (CEG) at 2.83 prices around its industry’s middle — NRG costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
CEG
Utilities industry group
2.83
- Max
- 6.35
- Q3
- 3.63
- CEG
- 2.83
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
NRG
Utilities industry group
0.56
- Max
- 6.35
- Q3
- 3.63
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.52
- NRG
- 0.56
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: Constellation Energy (CEG) at 2.78 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and NRG Energy (NRG) at 4.42 prices even higher, above its industry range.
CEG
Utilities industry group
2.78
- Max
- 3.12
- CEG
- 2.78
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.83
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.34
NRG
Utilities industry group
4.42
- NRG
- 4.42
- Max
- 3.12
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.83
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.34
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 24.43 | 23.11 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.83 | 0.56 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.78 | 4.42 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -7.48% | 4.16% |