CNP vs. NI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 22, 2025

Here’s a clear look at CNP and NI, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	CNP	NI
Company Name	CenterPoint Energy, Inc.	NiSource Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Multi-Utilities	Multi-Utilities
Market Capitalization	25.14 billion USD	20.03 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	February 21, 1973
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CNP 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.

CNP vs. NI: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CNP	NI
5-Day Price Return	0.16%	-0.02%
13-Week Price Return	2.23%	6.56%
26-Week Price Return	15.17%	7.42%
52-Week Price Return	47.85%	32.40%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.82%	0.21%
Year-to-Date Return	21.34%	15.72%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.06M	3.57M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.35M	4.27M
3-Month Volatility	15.61%	17.35%
Beta	0.57	0.62

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.

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

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.

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

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.

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CNP	NI
Return on Equity (TTM)	8.67%	10.19%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.14%	2.73%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	5.74%	14.82%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.74%	27.71%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	40.62%

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.

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

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.

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

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.

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CNP	NI
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.79	0.59
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.58	0.44
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.96	1.77
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.46	3.01

Growth

Revenue Growth

CNP vs. NI: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CNP vs. NI: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

CNP

2.22%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 8.75%
Q3: 5.46%
Median: 4.09%
Q1: 2.93%
Min: 0.00%

CNP’s Dividend Yield of 2.22% 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

2.54%

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

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.

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CNP	NI
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.22%	2.54%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	59.29%	57.22%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CNP

26.75

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 28.21
Q3: 21.40
Median: 16.89
Q1: 11.54
Min: 5.08

A P/E Ratio of 26.75 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.

NI

22.50

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 28.21
Q3: 21.40
Median: 16.89
Q1: 11.54
Min: 5.08

A P/E Ratio of 22.50 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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CNP

3.33

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 4.54
Q3: 3.52
Median: 1.87
Q1: 0.50
Min: 0.27

CNP’s P/S Ratio of 3.33 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.

NI

3.34

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 4.54
Q3: 3.52
Median: 1.87
Q1: 0.50
Min: 0.27

NI’s P/S Ratio of 3.34 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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

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.

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.

CNP vs. NI: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Multi-Utilities industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CNP	NI
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	26.75	22.50
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.33	3.34
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.18	2.14
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	42.44	406.36