CMS vs. LNT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CMS and LNT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CMS | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CMS Energy Corporation | Alliant Energy Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Multi-Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 21.99 billion USD | 16.80 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CMS and LNT 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 | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.44% | -1.13% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.82% | 9.83% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.51% | 9.79% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 11.68% | 16.82% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.46% | 0.55% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 10.22% | 10.53% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.56M | 1.91M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.58M | 2.04M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.48% | 17.51% |
| Beta | 0.41 | 0.55 |
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.
LNT
11.80%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.82%
- Q3
- 14.31%
- Median
- 10.58%
- Q1
- 7.57%
- Min
- 1.03%
LNT’s Return on Equity of 11.80% 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.
LNT
20.78%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.46%
- Q3
- 17.23%
- Median
- 11.43%
- Q1
- 7.33%
- Min
- -2.53%
A Net Profit Margin of 20.78% places LNT in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
LNT
25.32%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 46.44%
- Q3
- 26.51%
- Median
- 19.26%
- Q1
- 11.77%
- Min
- 2.81%
LNT’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.32% 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 | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.37% | 11.80% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.83% | 3.61% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.35% | 20.78% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.35% | 25.32% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.86% | 39.32% |
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.
LNT
0.57
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.34
LNT’s Current Ratio of 0.57 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.
LNT
1.58
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
LNT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.58 is typical for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
LNT
2.84
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 10.64
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -3.31
LNT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.84 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 | CMS | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.00 | 0.57 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.15 | 1.58 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.73 | 2.84 |
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.
LNT
2.98%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 7.00%
- Q3
- 4.67%
- Median
- 3.84%
- Q1
- 2.48%
- Min
- 0.00%
LNT’s Dividend Yield of 2.98% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
LNT
66.98%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 150.16%
- Q3
- 88.91%
- Median
- 65.69%
- Q1
- 34.65%
- Min
- 0.00%
LNT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 66.98% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.32% | 2.98% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 71.26% | 66.98% |
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.
LNT
20.15
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 39.85
- Q3
- 21.79
- Median
- 15.62
- Q1
- 8.97
- Min
- 3.03
LNT’s P/E Ratio of 20.15 is within the middle range for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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.
LNT
4.19
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.09
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.15
LNT’s P/S Ratio of 4.19 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.
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.
LNT
2.17
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.99
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.18
LNT’s P/B Ratio of 2.17 is in the upper tier for the Electric 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | LNT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.44 | 20.15 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.86 | 4.19 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.47 | 2.17 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 158.92 | 117.41 |