CNP vs. NRG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNP and NRG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNP | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | NRG Energy, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Multi-Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 26.18 billion USD | 32.32 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | December 2, 2003 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNP and NRG 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 | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.66% | -0.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.25% | 11.15% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 8.40% | 5.41% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 30.68% | 78.62% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.92% | -3.88% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 25.24% | 83.10% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.55M | 2.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.15M | 2.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 13.88% | 36.75% |
| Beta | 0.58 | 1.25 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CNP
9.49%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 20.00%
- Q3
- 13.72%
- Median
- 9.49%
- Q1
- 7.74%
- Min
- -0.57%
CNP’s Return on Equity of 9.49% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
NRG
60.59%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.26%
- Q3
- 15.09%
- Median
- 10.59%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- -0.30%
NRG’s Return on Equity of 60.59% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CNP
5.74%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 22.58%
- Q3
- 14.93%
- Median
- 9.68%
- Q1
- 4.19%
- Min
- -1.14%
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.
NRG
4.84%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 31.47%
- Q3
- 17.33%
- Median
- 11.03%
- Q1
- 7.47%
- Min
- -3.66%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, NRG’s Net Profit Margin of 4.84% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CNP
12.74%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 45.31%
- Q3
- 26.29%
- Median
- 19.25%
- Q1
- 7.66%
- 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.
NRG
7.94%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 44.32%
- Q3
- 25.44%
- Median
- 18.95%
- Q1
- 12.27%
- Min
- 0.08%
NRG’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.94% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CNP | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.49% | 60.59% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.34% | 5.94% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.74% | 4.84% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.74% | 7.94% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | 18.40% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CNP
0.51
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.23
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.51
CNP’s Current Ratio of 0.51 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.
NRG
1.05
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.56
- Q3
- 1.15
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- 0.30
NRG’s Current Ratio of 1.05 aligns with the median group of the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CNP
2.02
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.16
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.58
CNP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.02 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.
NRG
6.06
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.47
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 6.06, NRG operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Electric Utilities industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CNP
2.46
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, CNP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.46 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
NRG
4.43
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.57
- Min
- -3.31
NRG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.43 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 | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.51 | 1.05 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.36 | 0.87 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.02 | 6.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.46 | 4.43 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CNP
2.17%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.29%
- Q3
- 4.88%
- Median
- 3.66%
- Q1
- 2.95%
- Min
- 1.67%
CNP’s Dividend Yield of 2.17% 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.
NRG
1.29%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.63%
- Median
- 3.38%
- Q1
- 2.30%
- Min
- 0.00%
NRG’s Dividend Yield of 1.29% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CNP
54.92%
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 110.63%
- Q3
- 96.69%
- Median
- 74.83%
- Q1
- 57.12%
- Min
- 31.93%
CNP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 54.92% is in the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
NRG
20.91%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 85.57%
- Median
- 63.88%
- Q1
- 34.29%
- Min
- 0.00%
NRG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.91% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CNP | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.17% | 1.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 54.92% | 20.91% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNP
25.26
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.37
- Q3
- 20.20
- Median
- 17.94
- Q1
- 10.63
- Min
- 5.90
A P/E Ratio of 25.26 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.
NRG
21.97
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 33.63
- Q3
- 21.86
- Median
- 17.07
- Q1
- 10.96
- Min
- 3.11
A P/E Ratio of 21.97 places NRG in the upper quartile for the Electric 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)
CNP
3.48
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 3.47
- Median
- 2.06
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.28
CNP’s P/S Ratio of 3.48 is in the upper echelon for the Multi-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.
NRG
1.06
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.73
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
NRG’s P/S Ratio of 1.06 aligns with the market consensus for the Electric 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)
CNP
2.30
Multi-Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.71
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.53
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.88
CNP’s P/B Ratio of 2.30 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.
NRG
15.90
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.98
- Q3
- 1.95
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.37
At 15.90, NRG’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electric Utilities industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CNP | NRG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.26 | 21.97 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.48 | 1.06 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.30 | 15.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 44.36 | 18.55 |