CMS vs. NI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CMS and NI, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CMS Energy Corporation | NiSource Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Multi-Utilities | Multi-Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 21.99 billion USD | 20.10 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CMS and NI 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 | NI |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.44% | 0.73% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.82% | 11.38% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.51% | 11.76% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 11.68% | 35.23% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.46% | 0.54% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 10.22% | 16.10% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.56M | 4.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.58M | 4.53M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.48% | 18.77% |
| Beta | 0.41 | 0.62 |
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.
NI
10.19%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 19.69%
- Q3
- 12.97%
- Median
- 9.30%
- Q1
- 7.88%
- Min
- 4.34%
NI’s Return on Equity of 10.19% is on par with the norm for the Multi-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.
NI
14.82%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.37%
- Q3
- 15.24%
- Median
- 8.50%
- Q1
- 4.09%
- Min
- -1.05%
NI’s Net Profit Margin of 14.82% 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.
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.
NI
27.71%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 43.73%
- Q3
- 25.91%
- Median
- 19.49%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -0.18%
An Operating Profit Margin of 27.71% places NI in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.37% | 10.19% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.83% | 2.73% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.35% | 14.82% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.35% | 27.71% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.86% | 40.62% |
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.
NI
0.59
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.50
NI’s Current Ratio of 0.59 falls into the lower quartile for the Multi-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.
NI
1.77
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.58
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.53
NI’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.77 is typical for the Multi-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.
NI
3.01
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 12.21
- Q3
- 7.03
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.92
- Min
- 1.62
NI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.00 | 0.59 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.44 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.15 | 1.77 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.73 | 3.01 |
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.
NI
2.54%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 8.75%
- Q3
- 5.46%
- Median
- 4.09%
- Q1
- 2.93%
- Min
- 0.00%
NI’s Dividend Yield of 2.54% is in the lower quartile for the Multi-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.
NI
57.22%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 128.77%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 66.46%
- Q1
- 52.95%
- Min
- 24.73%
NI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 57.22% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.32% | 2.54% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 71.26% | 57.22% |
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.
NI
22.57
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 28.21
- Q3
- 21.40
- Median
- 16.89
- Q1
- 11.54
- Min
- 5.08
A P/E Ratio of 22.57 places NI 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.
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.
NI
3.35
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 3.52
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.27
NI’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 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.
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.
NI
2.14
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.70
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.86
NI’s P/B Ratio of 2.14 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CMS | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.44 | 22.57 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.86 | 3.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.47 | 2.14 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 158.92 | 407.56 |
