NRG vs. XEL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at NRG and XEL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | NRG | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | NRG Energy, Inc. | Xcel Energy Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Electric Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 32.61 billion USD | 47.50 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 2, 2003 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NRG and XEL 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 | NRG | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.19% | 3.49% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.85% | 18.43% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 66.32% | 17.02% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 77.54% | 24.90% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 11.26% | 11.41% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 79.51% | 19.45% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.60M | 6.85M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.84M | 3.85M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 42.65% | 19.54% |
| Beta | 1.16 | 0.40 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
NRG
20.75%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.46%
- Q3
- 14.70%
- Median
- 10.64%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- 0.02%
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.
XEL
10.41%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.46%
- Q3
- 14.70%
- Median
- 10.64%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- 0.02%
XEL’s Return on Equity of 10.41% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
NRG
1.78%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.56%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 11.20%
- Q1
- 7.30%
- Min
- 0.01%
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.
XEL
14.91%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.56%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 11.20%
- Q1
- 7.30%
- Min
- 0.01%
XEL’s Net Profit Margin of 14.91% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
NRG
3.87%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 38.77%
- Q3
- 25.54%
- Median
- 18.87%
- Q1
- 14.12%
- Min
- 0.02%
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.
XEL
18.07%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 38.77%
- Q3
- 25.54%
- Median
- 18.87%
- Q1
- 14.12%
- Min
- 0.02%
XEL’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.07% is around the midpoint for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NRG | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 20.75% | 10.41% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.16% | 2.89% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.78% | 14.91% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.87% | 18.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.25% | 40.44% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
NRG
0.93
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.13
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.
XEL
0.96
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.13
XEL’s Current Ratio of 0.96 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)
NRG
4.78
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 0.62
- 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.
XEL
1.54
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.00
XEL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.54 is typical for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
NRG
3.29
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 9.89
- Median
- 3.33
- 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.
XEL
2.32
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 9.89
- Median
- 3.33
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -3.31
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, XEL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.32 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NRG | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.93 | 0.96 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 4.78 | 1.54 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.29 | 2.32 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
NRG
1.29%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.66%
- Median
- 3.55%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- 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.
XEL
2.57%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.66%
- Median
- 3.55%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
XEL’s Dividend Yield of 2.57% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
NRG
13.61%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 84.46%
- Median
- 60.94%
- Q1
- 31.83%
- 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.
XEL
59.09%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 84.46%
- Median
- 60.94%
- Q1
- 31.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
XEL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 59.09% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NRG | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.29% | 2.57% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 13.61% | 59.09% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
NRG
60.45
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 34.39
- Q3
- 21.23
- Median
- 15.47
- Q1
- 10.17
- Min
- 3.08
At 60.45, 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.
XEL
23.04
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 34.39
- Q3
- 21.23
- Median
- 15.47
- Q1
- 10.17
- Min
- 3.08
A P/E Ratio of 23.04 places XEL 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)
NRG
1.07
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.03
- Q3
- 3.06
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.00
NRG’s P/S Ratio of 1.07 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.
XEL
3.44
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.03
- Q3
- 3.06
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.00
XEL’s P/S Ratio of 3.44 is in the upper echelon for the Electric 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
NRG
13.72
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.27
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.
XEL
1.87
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.27
XEL’s P/B Ratio of 1.87 is in the upper tier for the Electric 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | NRG | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 60.45 | 23.04 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.07 | 3.44 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.72 | 1.87 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 21.36 | 90.27 |