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 | 21.65 billion USD | 16.41 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 | -0.59% | -1.93% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 2.65% | -1.11% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -3.69% | 59.19% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 1.53% | -7.95% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.26% | -1.53% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.54% | 77.06% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.47M | 1.73M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.30M | 4.35M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 14.40% | 36.82% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 0.38 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CMS
12.37%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 20.00%
- Q3
- 13.79%
- Median
- 9.45%
- Q1
- 7.88%
- Min
- 4.56%
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
15.57%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.46%
- Q3
- 14.70%
- Median
- 10.64%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- 0.02%
In the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Return on Equity of 15.57% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CMS
13.35%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.49%
- Q3
- 14.79%
- Median
- 9.24%
- Q1
- 4.19%
- 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
6.78%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.56%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 11.20%
- Q1
- 7.30%
- Min
- 0.01%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Net Profit Margin of 6.78% 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
- 45.01%
- Q3
- 26.69%
- Median
- 19.18%
- Q1
- 7.66%
- 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
12.54%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 38.77%
- Q3
- 25.54%
- Median
- 18.87%
- Q1
- 14.12%
- Min
- 0.02%
KEP’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.54% 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 | CMS | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.37% | 15.57% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.83% | 2.56% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.35% | 6.78% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.35% | 12.54% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.86% | -19.73% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CMS
1.00
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 1.10
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.48
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
0.46
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.13
KEP’s Current Ratio of 0.46 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
- 3.03
- Q3
- 2.00
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.58
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
3.18
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.00
KEP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.18. 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
- 9.98
- Q3
- 5.96
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.74
- Min
- 0.59
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
- 9.89
- Median
- 3.33
- 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 | 0.46 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.29 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.15 | 3.18 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.73 | 2.57 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CMS
3.35%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 10.02%
- Q3
- 5.84%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- 0.00%
CMS’s Dividend Yield of 3.35% is consistent with its peers in the Multi-Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
KEP
1.12%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.66%
- Median
- 3.55%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Yield of 1.12% 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
- 161.38%
- Q3
- 101.19%
- Median
- 73.21%
- Q1
- 58.41%
- Min
- 31.93%
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
6.37%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 84.46%
- Median
- 60.94%
- Q1
- 31.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 6.37% 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) | 3.35% | 1.12% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 71.26% | 6.37% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CMS
21.30
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 27.93
- Q3
- 20.57
- Median
- 15.98
- Q1
- 9.34
- Min
- 5.25
A P/E Ratio of 21.30 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
3.60
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 34.39
- Q3
- 21.23
- Median
- 15.47
- Q1
- 10.17
- Min
- 3.08
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/E Ratio of 3.60 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CMS
2.84
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.00
- Q3
- 3.46
- Median
- 1.80
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.26
CMS’s P/S Ratio of 2.84 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
0.24
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.03
- Q3
- 3.06
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/S Ratio of 0.24 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
- 2.52
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.91
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
0.59
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.27
KEP’s P/B Ratio of 0.59 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) | 21.30 | 3.60 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.84 | 0.24 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.47 | 0.59 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 157.87 | 4.73 |