CNP vs. DUK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNP and DUK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | Duke Energy Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Multi-Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 25.22 billion USD | 97.76 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNP and DUK 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 | CNP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.62% | -0.17% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.83% | 8.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 19.08% | 9.77% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 47.44% | 10.88% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.49% | 3.35% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 21.75% | 16.68% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.33M | 3.93M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.74M | 3.44M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 16.03% | 16.71% |
| Beta | 0.57 | 0.43 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CNP
8.67%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 19.69%
- Q3
- 12.97%
- Median
- 9.30%
- Q1
- 7.88%
- Min
- 4.34%
CNP’s Return on Equity of 8.67% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
DUK
9.66%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.82%
- Q3
- 14.31%
- Median
- 10.58%
- Q1
- 7.57%
- Min
- 1.03%
DUK’s Return on Equity of 9.66% 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)
CNP
5.74%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.37%
- Q3
- 15.24%
- Median
- 8.50%
- Q1
- 4.09%
- Min
- -1.05%
CNP’s Net Profit Margin of 5.74% 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.
DUK
15.51%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.46%
- Q3
- 17.23%
- Median
- 11.43%
- Q1
- 7.33%
- Min
- -2.53%
DUK’s Net Profit Margin of 15.51% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CNP
12.74%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 43.73%
- Q3
- 25.91%
- Median
- 19.49%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -0.18%
CNP’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.74% is around the midpoint for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
DUK
26.95%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 46.44%
- Q3
- 26.51%
- Median
- 19.26%
- Q1
- 11.77%
- Min
- 2.81%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.95% places DUK in the upper quartile for the Electric 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 | CNP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 8.67% | 9.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.14% | 2.60% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.74% | 15.51% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.74% | 26.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | 45.97% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CNP
0.79
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.50
CNP’s Current Ratio of 0.79 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.
DUK
0.66
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.34
DUK’s Current Ratio of 0.66 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)
CNP
1.96
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.58
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.53
CNP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Multi-Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.96. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
DUK
1.72
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
DUK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.72 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)
CNP
2.46
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, CNP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.46 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
DUK
2.68
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 10.64
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -3.31
DUK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.68 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 | CNP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 0.66 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.58 | 0.42 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.96 | 1.72 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.46 | 2.68 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CNP
2.21%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 8.75%
- Q3
- 5.46%
- Median
- 4.09%
- Q1
- 2.93%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNP’s Dividend Yield of 2.21% 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.
DUK
3.35%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 7.00%
- Q3
- 4.67%
- Median
- 3.84%
- Q1
- 2.48%
- Min
- 0.00%
DUK’s Dividend Yield of 3.35% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CNP
59.29%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 128.77%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 66.46%
- Q1
- 52.95%
- Min
- 24.73%
CNP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 59.29% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
DUK
66.67%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 150.16%
- Q3
- 88.91%
- Median
- 65.69%
- Q1
- 34.65%
- Min
- 0.00%
DUK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 66.67% 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 | CNP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.21% | 3.35% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 59.29% | 66.67% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNP
26.83
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 28.21
- Q3
- 21.40
- Median
- 16.89
- Q1
- 11.54
- Min
- 5.08
A P/E Ratio of 26.83 places CNP 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.
DUK
19.90
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 39.85
- Q3
- 21.79
- Median
- 15.62
- Q1
- 8.97
- Min
- 3.03
DUK’s P/E Ratio of 19.90 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)
CNP
3.34
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 3.52
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.27
CNP’s P/S Ratio of 3.34 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.
DUK
3.09
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.09
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.15
DUK’s P/S Ratio of 3.09 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)
CNP
2.18
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.70
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.86
CNP’s P/B Ratio of 2.18 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.
DUK
1.80
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.99
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.18
DUK’s P/B Ratio of 1.80 is within the conventional range for the Electric Utilities industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CNP | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.83 | 19.90 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.34 | 3.09 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.18 | 1.80 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 42.56 | 116.97 |