CEG vs. NRG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CEG and NRG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Constellation Energy Corporation | NRG Energy, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Electric Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 106.80 billion USD | 32.32 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 19, 2022 | December 2, 2003 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CEG and NRG by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -6.21% | -0.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 5.06% | 11.15% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 16.12% | 5.41% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 49.81% | 78.62% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -10.21% | -3.88% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 51.32% | 83.10% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.12M | 2.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.53M | 2.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 43.52% | 36.75% |
| Beta | 1.18 | 1.25 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CEG
20.32%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.26%
- Q3
- 15.09%
- Median
- 10.59%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- -0.30%
In the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, CEG’s Return on Equity of 20.32% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NRG
60.59%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.26%
- Q3
- 15.09%
- Median
- 10.59%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- -0.30%
NRG’s Return on Equity of 60.59% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CEG
11.03%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 31.47%
- Q3
- 17.33%
- Median
- 11.03%
- Q1
- 7.47%
- Min
- -3.66%
CEG’s Net Profit Margin of 11.03% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
NRG
4.84%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 31.47%
- Q3
- 17.33%
- Median
- 11.03%
- Q1
- 7.47%
- Min
- -3.66%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, NRG’s Net Profit Margin of 4.84% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CEG
13.93%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 44.32%
- Q3
- 25.44%
- Median
- 18.95%
- Q1
- 12.27%
- Min
- 0.08%
CEG’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.93% is around the midpoint for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
NRG
7.94%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 44.32%
- Q3
- 25.44%
- Median
- 18.95%
- Q1
- 12.27%
- Min
- 0.08%
NRG’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.94% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 20.32% | 60.59% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.11% | 5.94% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.03% | 4.84% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.93% | 7.94% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.95% | 18.40% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CEG
1.56
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.56
- Q3
- 1.15
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- 0.30
CEG’s Current Ratio of 1.56 is in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
NRG
1.05
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.56
- Q3
- 1.15
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- 0.30
NRG’s Current Ratio of 1.05 aligns with the median group of the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CEG
0.63
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.47
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, CEG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
NRG
6.06
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.47
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 6.06, NRG operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Electric Utilities industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CEG
10.12
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.57
- Min
- -3.31
CEG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.12 is in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
NRG
4.43
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.57
- Min
- -3.31
NRG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.43 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.56 | 1.05 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.34 | 0.87 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.63 | 6.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 10.12 | 4.43 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CEG
0.45%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.63%
- Median
- 3.38%
- Q1
- 2.30%
- Min
- 0.00%
CEG’s Dividend Yield of 0.45% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
NRG
1.29%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.63%
- Median
- 3.38%
- Q1
- 2.30%
- Min
- 0.00%
NRG’s Dividend Yield of 1.29% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CEG
17.38%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 85.57%
- Median
- 63.88%
- Q1
- 34.29%
- Min
- 0.00%
CEG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 17.38% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
NRG
20.91%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 85.57%
- Median
- 63.88%
- Q1
- 34.29%
- Min
- 0.00%
NRG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.91% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.45% | 1.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 17.38% | 20.91% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CEG
38.61
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.63
- Q3
- 21.86
- Median
- 17.07
- Q1
- 10.96
- Min
- 3.11
At 38.61, CEG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
NRG
21.97
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.63
- Q3
- 21.86
- Median
- 17.07
- Q1
- 10.96
- Min
- 3.11
A P/E Ratio of 21.97 places NRG in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CEG
4.26
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.73
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
CEG’s P/S Ratio of 4.26 is in the upper echelon for the Electric Utilities industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
NRG
1.06
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.73
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
NRG’s P/S Ratio of 1.06 aligns with the market consensus for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CEG
7.16
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.98
- Q3
- 1.95
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.37
At 7.16, CEG’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electric Utilities industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
NRG
15.90
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.98
- Q3
- 1.95
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.37
At 15.90, NRG’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electric Utilities industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CEG | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 38.61 | 21.97 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.26 | 1.06 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.16 | 15.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 48.78 | 18.55 |