VST vs. WEC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 24, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	VST	WEC
Company Name	Vistra Corp.	WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers	Multi-Utilities
Market Capitalization	65.36 billion USD	35.05 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	October 5, 2016	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of VST and WEC 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	VST	WEC
5-Day Price Return	-4.67%	0.72%
13-Week Price Return	22.62%	1.54%
26-Week Price Return	16.46%	4.94%
52-Week Price Return	138.93%	20.82%
Month-to-Date Return	-7.50%	-0.16%
Year-to-Date Return	39.92%	15.81%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.34M	2.39M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.38M	2.09M
3-Month Volatility	39.49%	15.23%
Beta	1.37	0.45

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

VST

46.24%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 30.49%
Q3: 14.63%
Median: 7.41%
Q1: 3.67%
Min: -8.17%

VST’s Return on Equity of 46.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

WEC

13.11%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 19.69%
Q3: 12.97%
Median: 9.30%
Q1: 7.88%
Min: 4.34%

In the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, WEC’s Return on Equity of 13.11% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

VST

14.92%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 32.12%
Q3: 16.71%
Median: 10.67%
Q1: 5.10%
Min: -6.37%

VST’s Net Profit Margin of 14.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

WEC

18.24%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 25.37%
Q3: 15.24%
Median: 8.50%
Q1: 4.09%
Min: -1.05%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.24% places WEC in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

VST

22.38%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 42.59%
Q3: 29.96%
Median: 18.17%
Q1: 12.79%
Min: 4.70%

VST’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.38% is around the midpoint for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

WEC

25.64%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 43.73%
Q3: 25.91%
Median: 19.49%
Q1: 8.11%
Min: -0.18%

WEC’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.64% is around the midpoint for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	VST	WEC
Return on Equity (TTM)	46.24%	13.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.28%	3.52%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	14.92%	18.24%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	22.38%	25.64%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	8.71%	35.85%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

VST

0.90

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 1.21
Median: 0.86
Q1: 0.62
Min: 0.25

VST’s Current Ratio of 0.90 aligns with the median group of the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

WEC

0.55

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 1.64
Q3: 1.22
Median: 0.94
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.50

WEC’s Current Ratio of 0.55 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.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

VST

4.00

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 3.93
Q3: 2.66
Median: 1.75
Q1: 1.05
Min: 0.22

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.00, VST operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

WEC

1.55

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 2.58
Q3: 1.96
Median: 1.56
Q1: 1.20
Min: 0.53

WEC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.55 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.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

VST

5.47

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 10.03
Q3: 7.41
Median: 2.59
Q1: 1.32
Min: -1.62

VST’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

WEC

4.04

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 12.21
Q3: 7.03
Median: 3.61
Q1: 2.92
Min: 1.62

WEC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.04 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	VST	WEC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.90	0.55
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.73	0.35
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	4.00	1.55
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.47	4.04

Growth

Revenue Growth

VST vs. WEC: 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

VST vs. WEC: 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)

VST

0.77%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 8.02%
Q3: 5.65%
Median: 4.08%
Q1: 2.47%
Min: 0.00%

VST’s Dividend Yield of 0.77% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

WEC

3.11%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 8.75%
Q3: 5.46%
Median: 4.09%
Q1: 2.93%
Min: 0.00%

WEC’s Dividend Yield of 3.11% is consistent with its peers in the Multi-Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

VST

14.95%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 125.56%
Q3: 90.24%
Median: 50.41%
Q1: 17.76%
Min: 0.00%

VST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.95% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

WEC

65.95%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 128.77%
Q3: 97.17%
Median: 66.46%
Q1: 52.95%
Min: 24.73%

WEC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.95% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	VST	WEC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.77%	3.11%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	14.95%	65.95%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

VST

27.39

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 51.94
Q3: 27.00
Median: 10.10
Q1: 7.02
Min: 4.18

A P/E Ratio of 27.39 places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

WEC

21.22

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 28.21
Q3: 21.40
Median: 16.89
Q1: 11.54
Min: 5.08

WEC’s P/E Ratio of 21.22 is within the middle range for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

VST

4.09

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 6.94
Q3: 3.56
Median: 2.46
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.39

VST’s P/S Ratio of 4.09 is in the upper echelon for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

WEC

3.87

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 4.54
Q3: 3.52
Median: 1.87
Q1: 0.50
Min: 0.27

WEC’s P/S Ratio of 3.87 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.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

VST

13.64

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 3.49
Q3: 1.92
Median: 1.33
Q1: 0.81
Min: 0.35

At 13.64, VST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

WEC

2.51

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 2.70
Q3: 1.97
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.86

WEC’s P/B Ratio of 2.51 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.

VST vs. WEC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	VST	WEC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	27.39	21.22
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.09	3.87
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	13.64	2.51
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	42.40	72.76