KEP vs. SMR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at KEP and SMR, 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, SMR is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | KEP | SMR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Korea Electric Power Corporation | NuScale Power Corporation |
| Country | South Korea | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Electric Utilities | Electrical Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 18.22 billion USD | 4.99 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 27, 1994 | March 1, 2022 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of KEP and SMR 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 | KEP | SMR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -5.83% | -16.52% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 53.59% | 109.67% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 87.89% | 60.43% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -7.95% | 304.12% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.59% | -25.71% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 97.26% | 108.03% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.97M | 15.41M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.38M | 12.51M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 66.85% | 114.90% |
| Beta | 0.35 | 2.06 |
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.
SMR
-22.81%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 37.56%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 14.38%
- Q1
- 4.35%
- Min
- 0.90%
SMR has a negative Return on Equity of -22.81%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
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.
SMR
-221.07%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 20.43%
- Q3
- 10.97%
- Median
- 6.07%
- Q1
- 3.16%
- Min
- 0.29%
SMR has a negative Net Profit Margin of -221.07%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
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.
SMR
-233.90%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 26.20%
- Q3
- 14.31%
- Median
- 7.54%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -5.64%
SMR has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -233.90%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | KEP | SMR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.40% | -22.81% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.14% | -24.54% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.72% | -221.07% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.77% | -233.90% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -19.73% | 71.50% |
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.
SMR
4.22
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.80
SMR’s Current Ratio of 4.22 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Electrical Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
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.
SMR
0.00
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.44
- Q3
- 0.99
- Median
- 0.56
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, SMR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
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.
SMR
-58.59
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 36.12
- Q3
- 19.29
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 1.16
- Min
- -10.92
SMR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -58.59. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | KEP | SMR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.47 | 4.22 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.30 | 4.18 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.26 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.57 | -58.59 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
KEP
0.51%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 7.00%
- Q3
- 4.67%
- Median
- 3.84%
- Q1
- 2.48%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Yield of 0.51% 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.
SMR
0.00%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 2.20%
- Q3
- 1.53%
- Median
- 1.01%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SMR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
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.
SMR
0.00%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 119.44%
- Q3
- 51.87%
- Median
- 27.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SMR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | KEP | SMR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.51% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 4.33% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
KEP
4.71
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 4.71 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
SMR
--
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 81.85
- Q3
- 44.17
- Median
- 27.61
- Q1
- 18.62
- Min
- 7.73
P/E Ratio data for SMR is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
KEP
0.27
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 0.27 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.
SMR
189.32
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.18
- Q3
- 4.02
- Median
- 1.84
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.44
With a P/S Ratio of 189.32, SMR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Electrical Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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.
SMR
16.24
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.50
- Q3
- 4.53
- Median
- 3.39
- Q1
- 1.70
- Min
- 0.51
At 16.24, SMR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electrical Equipment 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 | KEP | SMR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 4.71 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.27 | 189.32 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.33 | 16.24 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 5.13 | -- |