CMS vs. KEP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CMS and KEP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
CMS is a standard domestic listing, while KEP trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | CMS | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CMS Energy Corporation | Korea Electric Power Corporation |
| Country | United States | South Korea |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Multi-Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 21.99 billion USD | 18.22 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | October 27, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CMS and KEP 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 | CMS | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.44% | -5.83% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.82% | 53.59% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.51% | 87.89% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 11.68% | -7.95% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.46% | 2.59% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 10.22% | 97.26% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.56M | 4.97M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.58M | 4.38M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.48% | 66.85% |
| Beta | 0.41 | 0.35 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CMS
12.37%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 19.69%
- Q3
- 12.97%
- Median
- 9.30%
- Q1
- 7.88%
- Min
- 4.34%
CMS’s Return on Equity of 12.37% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
KEP
13.40%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.82%
- Q3
- 14.31%
- Median
- 10.58%
- Q1
- 7.57%
- Min
- 1.03%
KEP’s Return on Equity of 13.40% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CMS
13.35%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.37%
- Q3
- 15.24%
- Median
- 8.50%
- Q1
- 4.09%
- Min
- -1.05%
CMS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.35% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Multi-Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
KEP
5.72%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.46%
- Q3
- 17.23%
- Median
- 11.43%
- Q1
- 7.33%
- Min
- -2.53%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Net Profit Margin of 5.72% 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)
CMS
22.35%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 43.73%
- Q3
- 25.91%
- Median
- 19.49%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -0.18%
CMS’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.35% is around the midpoint for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
KEP
11.77%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 46.44%
- Q3
- 26.51%
- Median
- 19.26%
- Q1
- 11.77%
- Min
- 2.81%
KEP’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.77% is around the midpoint for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.37% | 13.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.83% | 2.14% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.35% | 5.72% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.35% | 11.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.86% | -19.73% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CMS
1.00
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.50
CMS’s Current Ratio of 1.00 aligns with the median group of the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
KEP
0.47
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.34
KEP’s Current Ratio of 0.47 falls into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CMS
2.15
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.58
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.53
CMS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Multi-Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.15. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
KEP
3.26
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
KEP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.26. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CMS
2.73
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 12.21
- Q3
- 7.03
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.92
- Min
- 1.62
In the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, CMS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.73 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
KEP
2.57
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 10.64
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -3.31
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.57 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.00 | 0.47 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.30 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.15 | 3.26 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.73 | 2.57 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CMS
3.32%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 8.75%
- Q3
- 5.46%
- Median
- 4.09%
- Q1
- 2.93%
- Min
- 0.00%
CMS’s Dividend Yield of 3.32% is consistent with its peers in the Multi-Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
KEP
0.51%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 7.00%
- Q3
- 4.67%
- Median
- 3.84%
- Q1
- 2.48%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Yield of 0.51% 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)
CMS
71.26%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 128.77%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 66.46%
- Q1
- 52.95%
- Min
- 24.73%
CMS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 71.26% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
KEP
4.33%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 150.16%
- Q3
- 88.91%
- Median
- 65.69%
- Q1
- 34.65%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 4.33% 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 | CMS | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.32% | 0.51% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 71.26% | 4.33% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CMS
21.44
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 28.21
- Q3
- 21.40
- Median
- 16.89
- Q1
- 11.54
- Min
- 5.08
A P/E Ratio of 21.44 places CMS in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
KEP
4.71
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 39.85
- Q3
- 21.79
- Median
- 15.62
- Q1
- 8.97
- Min
- 3.03
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/E Ratio of 4.71 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CMS
2.86
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 3.52
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.27
CMS’s P/S Ratio of 2.86 aligns with the market consensus for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
KEP
0.27
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.09
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.15
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/S Ratio of 0.27 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CMS
2.47
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.70
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.86
CMS’s P/B Ratio of 2.47 is in the upper tier for the Multi-Utilities industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
KEP
0.33
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.99
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.18
KEP’s P/B Ratio of 0.33 is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.44 | 4.71 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.86 | 0.27 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.47 | 0.33 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 158.92 | 5.13 |