VST vs. XEL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at VST and XEL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | VST | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Vistra Corp. | Xcel Energy Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 64.40 billion USD | 43.19 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | October 5, 2016 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of VST 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 | VST | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.78% | -0.26% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 22.85% | 5.52% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 12.24% | 5.73% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 128.19% | 21.88% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -8.85% | -0.56% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 37.87% | 8.16% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.59M | 3.66M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.32M | 3.55M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 39.02% | 16.10% |
| Beta | 1.36 | 0.37 |
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.
XEL
10.41%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 23.82%
- Q3
- 14.31%
- Median
- 10.58%
- Q1
- 7.57%
- Min
- 1.03%
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)
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.
XEL
14.91%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.46%
- Q3
- 17.23%
- Median
- 11.43%
- Q1
- 7.33%
- Min
- -2.53%
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)
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.
XEL
18.07%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 46.44%
- Q3
- 26.51%
- Median
- 19.26%
- Q1
- 11.77%
- Min
- 2.81%
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 | VST | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 46.24% | 10.41% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.28% | 2.89% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.92% | 14.91% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.38% | 18.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.71% | 40.44% |
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.
XEL
0.96
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.34
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)
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.
XEL
1.54
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.64
- 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)
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.
XEL
2.32
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, 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 | VST | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.90 | 0.96 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 4.00 | 1.54 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.47 | 2.32 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
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.
XEL
2.82%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 7.00%
- Q3
- 4.67%
- Median
- 3.84%
- Q1
- 2.48%
- Min
- 0.00%
XEL’s Dividend Yield of 2.82% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
XEL
59.09%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 150.16%
- Q3
- 88.91%
- Median
- 65.69%
- Q1
- 34.65%
- 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 | VST | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.77% | 2.82% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 14.95% | 59.09% |
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.
XEL
20.96
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 39.85
- Q3
- 21.79
- Median
- 15.62
- Q1
- 8.97
- Min
- 3.03
XEL’s P/E Ratio of 20.96 is within the middle range for the Electric 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.
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.
XEL
3.13
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.09
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.15
XEL’s P/S Ratio of 3.13 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)
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.
XEL
1.87
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.99
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.18
XEL’s P/B Ratio of 1.87 is within the conventional range for the Electric Utilities industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | VST | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.39 | 20.96 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.09 | 3.13 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.64 | 1.87 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 42.40 | 82.14 |