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 | 22.57 billion USD | 20.41 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 | -0.51% | -1.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.37% | 2.22% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 8.24% | 13.38% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 10.46% | 18.29% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.24% | 1.83% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.72% | 16.65% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.74M | 4.06M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.34M | 4.40M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 13.96% | 19.46% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 0.65 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CMS
12.38%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 20.00%
- Q3
- 13.72%
- Median
- 9.49%
- Q1
- 7.74%
- Min
- -0.57%
CMS’s Return on Equity of 12.38% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
NI
10.07%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 20.00%
- Q3
- 13.72%
- Median
- 9.49%
- Q1
- 7.74%
- Min
- -0.57%
NI’s Return on Equity of 10.07% 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
13.23%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 22.58%
- Q3
- 14.93%
- Median
- 9.68%
- Q1
- 4.19%
- Min
- -1.14%
CMS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.23% 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
14.50%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 22.58%
- Q3
- 14.93%
- Median
- 9.68%
- Q1
- 4.19%
- Min
- -1.14%
NI’s Net Profit Margin of 14.50% 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
23.08%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 45.31%
- Q3
- 26.29%
- Median
- 19.25%
- Q1
- 7.66%
- Min
- -0.18%
CMS’s Operating Profit Margin of 23.08% is around the midpoint for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
NI
28.12%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 45.31%
- Q3
- 26.29%
- Median
- 19.25%
- Q1
- 7.66%
- Min
- -0.18%
An Operating Profit Margin of 28.12% 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) | 12.38% | 10.07% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.83% | 2.69% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.23% | 14.50% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 23.08% | 28.12% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.86% | 40.62% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CMS
0.90
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.23
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.51
CMS’s Current Ratio of 0.90 aligns with the median group of the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
NI
0.52
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.23
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.51
NI’s Current Ratio of 0.52 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
2.04
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.16
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.58
CMS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Multi-Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.04. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
NI
1.73
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.16
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.58
NI’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.73 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
- 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.
NI
3.01
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 9.98
- Q3
- 5.96
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.74
- Min
- 0.59
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) | 0.90 | 0.52 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.57 | 0.34 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.04 | 1.73 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.73 | 3.01 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CMS
2.89%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.29%
- Q3
- 4.88%
- Median
- 3.66%
- Q1
- 2.95%
- Min
- 1.67%
CMS’s Dividend Yield of 2.89% 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.
NI
2.53%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.29%
- Q3
- 4.88%
- Median
- 3.66%
- Q1
- 2.95%
- Min
- 1.67%
NI’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% 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
62.27%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 110.63%
- Q3
- 96.69%
- Median
- 74.83%
- Q1
- 57.12%
- Min
- 31.93%
CMS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 62.27% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NI
58.11%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 110.63%
- Q3
- 96.69%
- Median
- 74.83%
- Q1
- 57.12%
- Min
- 31.93%
NI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.11% 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) | 2.89% | 2.53% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 62.27% | 58.11% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CMS
21.54
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.37
- Q3
- 20.20
- Median
- 17.94
- Q1
- 10.63
- Min
- 5.90
A P/E Ratio of 21.54 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
22.94
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.37
- Q3
- 20.20
- Median
- 17.94
- Q1
- 10.63
- Min
- 5.90
A P/E Ratio of 22.94 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
2.85
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 3.47
- Median
- 2.06
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.28
CMS’s P/S Ratio of 2.85 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
3.33
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 3.47
- Median
- 2.06
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.28
NI’s P/S Ratio of 3.33 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
- 2.71
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.53
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.88
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
2.24
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.71
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.53
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.88
NI’s P/B Ratio of 2.24 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) | 21.54 | 22.94 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.85 | 3.33 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.47 | 2.24 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 163.40 | 418.35 |
