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 | 25.22 billion USD | 29.98 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 | -0.62% | 1.16% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.83% | 2.91% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 19.08% | 50.03% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 47.44% | 94.07% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.49% | -7.30% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 21.75% | 71.80% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.33M | 3.82M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.74M | 3.27M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 16.03% | 65.86% |
| Beta | 0.57 | 1.15 |
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.
NRG
20.75%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.82%
- Q3
- 14.31%
- Median
- 10.58%
- Q1
- 7.57%
- Min
- 1.03%
In the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, NRG’s Return on Equity of 20.75% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
NRG
1.78%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.46%
- Q3
- 17.23%
- Median
- 11.43%
- Q1
- 7.33%
- Min
- -2.53%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, NRG’s Net Profit Margin of 1.78% 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
- 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.
NRG
3.87%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 46.44%
- Q3
- 26.51%
- Median
- 19.26%
- Q1
- 11.77%
- Min
- 2.81%
NRG’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.87% 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) | 8.67% | 20.75% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.14% | 2.16% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.74% | 1.78% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.74% | 3.87% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | 17.25% |
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.
NRG
0.93
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.34
NRG’s Current Ratio of 0.93 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
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.
NRG
4.78
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.78, 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
- 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.
NRG
3.29
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 10.64
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -3.31
NRG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.29 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) | 0.79 | 0.93 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.58 | 0.77 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.96 | 4.78 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.46 | 3.29 |
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.
NRG
1.33%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 7.00%
- Q3
- 4.67%
- Median
- 3.84%
- Q1
- 2.48%
- Min
- 0.00%
NRG’s Dividend Yield of 1.33% 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
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.
NRG
13.61%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 150.16%
- Q3
- 88.91%
- Median
- 65.69%
- Q1
- 34.65%
- Min
- 0.00%
NRG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 13.61% 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) | 2.21% | 1.33% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 59.29% | 13.61% |
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.
NRG
58.89
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 39.85
- Q3
- 21.79
- Median
- 15.62
- Q1
- 8.97
- Min
- 3.03
At 58.89, NRG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
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.
NRG
1.05
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.09
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.15
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, NRG’s P/S Ratio of 1.05 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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.
NRG
13.72
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.99
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.18
At 13.72, 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) | 26.83 | 58.89 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.34 | 1.05 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.18 | 13.72 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 42.56 | 20.81 |