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CNP vs. DUK: CenterPoint Energy vs. Duke Energy Stock Comparison

How do CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK) both fall under the Utilities industry group, but CNP is classified in Multi-Utilities while DUK is classified in Electric Utilities.

Company profile comparison for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
Profile ItemCNPDUK
NameCenterPoint Energy, Inc.Duke Energy Corporation
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorUtilitiesUtilities
GICS Industry GroupUtilitiesUtilities
GICS IndustryMulti-UtilitiesElectric Utilities
GICS Sub-IndustryMulti-UtilitiesElectric Utilities
Market Capitalization26.95 billion USD99.63 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962March 17, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

CNP
DUK
GSPC
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
MetricCNPDUK
Total Return (1Y)5.91%7.39%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)18.08%17.76%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)11.79%8.82%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

CNP
DUK
GSPC
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
MetricCNPDUK
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)18.24%17.00%
Beta (5Y)0.440.32
Max Drawdown (5Y)-22.81%-24.16%
Avg. Volume (3M)6.95M4.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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CNP and DUK are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
MetricCNPDUK
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.090.18
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.120.27

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 10.14% and Duke Energy (DUK) at 10.10% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

CNP

Utilities industry group

10.14%

Max
17.99%
Q3
12.01%
CNP
10.14%
Median
9.44%
Q1
7.56%
Min
2.17%

DUK

Utilities industry group

10.10%

Max
17.99%
Q3
12.01%
DUK
10.10%
Median
9.44%
Q1
7.56%
Min
2.17%
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their ROE against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 11.76% and Duke Energy (DUK) at 16.16% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

CNP

Utilities industry group

11.76%

Max
28.78%
Q3
17.30%
Median
12.73%
CNP
11.76%
Q1
9.18%
Min
-0.20%

DUK

Utilities industry group

16.16%

Max
28.78%
Q3
17.30%
DUK
16.16%
Median
12.73%
Q1
9.18%
Min
-0.20%
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their net margin against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 30.26% and Duke Energy (DUK) at 30.03% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

CNP

Utilities industry group

30.26%

Max
53.83%
Q3
31.12%
CNP
30.26%
Median
23.62%
Q1
15.45%
Min
-4.90%

DUK

Utilities industry group

30.03%

Max
53.83%
Q3
31.12%
DUK
30.03%
Median
23.62%
Q1
15.45%
Min
-4.90%
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their operating margin against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
MetricCNPDUK
ROE (TTM)10.14%10.10%
ROA (TTM)3.15%2.92%
Net Margin (TTM)11.76%16.16%
Operating Margin (TTM)30.26%30.03%
Gross Margin (TTM)48.39%52.58%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 8.26% and Duke Energy (DUK) at 6.19% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 1.27% and Duke Energy (DUK) at 10.51% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
MetricCNPDUK
Revenue Growth (YoY)8.26%6.19%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)0.13%3.87%
EPS Growth (YoY)1.27%10.51%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)0.21%23.75%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 1.15 and Duke Energy (DUK) at 0.68 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

CNP

Utilities industry group

1.15

Max
1.90
Q3
1.17
CNP
1.15
Median
0.88
Q1
0.66
Min
0.29

DUK

Utilities industry group

0.68

Max
1.90
Q3
1.17
Median
0.88
DUK
0.68
Q1
0.66
Min
0.29
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their current ratio against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Duke Energy (DUK) at 1.63 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 2.12 uses more debt funding than most peers.

CNP

Utilities industry group

2.12

Max
2.63
CNP
2.12
Q3
1.77
Median
1.35
Q1
0.84
Min
0.00

DUK

Utilities industry group

1.63

Max
2.63
Q3
1.77
DUK
1.63
Median
1.35
Q1
0.84
Min
0.00
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
MetricCNPDUK
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.150.68
Debt / Equity (MRQ)2.121.63
Net Debt / EBITDA5.985.38

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 2.30% and Duke Energy (DUK) at 3.29% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.

CNP

Utilities industry group

2.30%

Max
6.66%
Q3
3.58%
Median
2.85%
CNP
2.30%
Q1
0.66%
Min
0.00%

DUK

Utilities industry group

3.29%

Max
6.66%
Q3
3.58%
DUK
3.29%
Median
2.85%
Q1
0.66%
Min
0.00%
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 52.87% and Duke Energy (DUK) at 62.76% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.

CNP

Utilities industry group

52.87%

Max
113.04%
Q3
68.72%
Median
56.38%
CNP
52.87%
Q1
32.38%
Min
0.00%

DUK

Utilities industry group

62.76%

Max
113.04%
Q3
68.72%
DUK
62.76%
Median
56.38%
Q1
32.38%
Min
0.00%
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
MetricCNPDUK
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.30%3.29%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)52.87%62.76%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Duke Energy (DUK) at 18.74 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 23.37 sits in the richer quartile — CNP needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

CNP

Utilities industry group

23.37

Max
31.22
CNP
23.37
Q3
23.30
Median
19.64
Q1
15.17
Min
3.34

DUK

Utilities industry group

18.74

Max
31.22
Q3
23.30
Median
19.64
DUK
18.74
Q1
15.17
Min
3.34
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 2.74 and Duke Energy (DUK) at 2.99 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

CNP

Utilities industry group

2.74

Max
6.35
Q3
3.63
CNP
2.74
Median
2.63
Q1
1.52
Min
0.00

DUK

Utilities industry group

2.99

Max
6.35
Q3
3.63
DUK
2.99
Median
2.63
Q1
1.52
Min
0.00
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Duke Energy (DUK) at 1.83 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while CenterPoint Energy (CNP) at 2.30 carries an above-peer premium to book — CNP is pricier on assets.

CNP

Utilities industry group

2.30

Max
3.12
CNP
2.30
Q3
2.21
Median
1.83
Q1
1.46
Min
0.34

DUK

Utilities industry group

1.83

Max
3.12
Q3
2.21
DUK
1.83
Median
1.83
Q1
1.46
Min
0.34
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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK)
MetricCNPDUK
P/E Ratio (TTM)23.3718.74
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.742.99
P/B Ratio (MRQ)2.301.83
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)-18.50%-2.76%