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KEP vs. NRG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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

Company Profile

KEP trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, NRG is a standard domestic listing.

SymbolKEPNRG
Company NameKorea Electric Power CorporationNRG Energy, Inc.
CountrySouth KoreaUnited States
GICS SectorUtilitiesUtilities
GICS IndustryElectric UtilitiesElectric Utilities
Market Capitalization17.75 billion USD28.00 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateOctober 27, 1994December 2, 2003
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of KEP 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolKEPNRG
5-Day Price Return2.54%-2.43%
13-Week Price Return28.96%-6.77%
26-Week Price Return81.52%28.79%
52-Week Price Return-7.95%76.87%
Month-to-Date Return-0.65%-13.42%
Year-to-Date Return91.02%60.46%
10-Day Avg. Volume4.41M2.25M
3-Month Avg. Volume4.56M3.15M
3-Month Volatility66.63%40.17%
Beta0.391.15

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

KEP

13.40%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
23.82%
Q3
14.31%
Median
10.58%
Q1
7.57%
Min
1.03%

KEP’s Return on Equity of 13.40% is on par with the norm for the Electric 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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

KEP

5.72%

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, KEP’s Net Profit Margin of 5.72% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

KEP

11.77%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
46.44%
Q3
26.51%
Median
19.26%
Q1
11.77%
Min
2.81%

KEP’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.77% is around the midpoint for the Electric 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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolKEPNRG
Return on Equity (TTM)13.40%20.75%
Return on Assets (TTM)2.14%2.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)5.72%1.78%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)11.77%3.87%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)-19.73%17.25%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

KEP

0.47

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
1.81
Q3
1.22
Median
0.99
Q1
0.78
Min
0.34

KEP’s Current Ratio of 0.47 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.

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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

KEP

3.26

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
3.40
Q3
1.83
Median
1.32
Q1
0.64
Min
0.00

KEP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.26. 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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

KEP

2.57

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
18.68
Q3
10.64
Median
3.32
Q1
2.62
Min
-3.31

In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.57 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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolKEPNRG
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.470.93
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.300.77
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)3.264.78
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)2.573.29

Growth

Revenue Growth

KEP vs. NRG: 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

KEP vs. NRG: 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)

KEP

0.53%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
7.00%
Q3
4.67%
Median
3.84%
Q1
2.48%
Min
0.00%

KEP’s Dividend Yield of 0.53% 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.

NRG

1.44%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
7.00%
Q3
4.67%
Median
3.84%
Q1
2.48%
Min
0.00%

NRG’s Dividend Yield of 1.44% 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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

KEP

4.33%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
150.16%
Q3
88.91%
Median
65.69%
Q1
34.65%
Min
0.00%

KEP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 4.33% 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.

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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolKEPNRG
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.53%1.44%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)4.33%13.61%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

KEP

4.56

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
39.85
Q3
21.79
Median
15.62
Q1
8.97
Min
3.03

In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/E Ratio of 4.56 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

NRG

54.42

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
39.85
Q3
21.79
Median
15.62
Q1
8.97
Min
3.03

At 54.42, 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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

KEP

0.26

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, KEP’s P/S Ratio of 0.26 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.

NRG

0.97

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 0.97 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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

KEP

0.33

Electric Utilities Industry

Max
2.99
Q3
1.99
Median
1.46
Q1
1.11
Min
0.18

KEP’s P/B Ratio of 0.33 is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

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.

KEP vs. NRG: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolKEPNRG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)4.5654.42
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)0.260.97
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)0.3313.72
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)4.9719.23