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CMSA vs CMS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Regulated Electric
CMSA vs CMS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Regulated Electric | Regulated Electric |
| Market Cap | $6.63B | $22.85B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $8.54B | $8.82B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.07B | $1.11B |
| Gross Margin | 60.9% | 64.6% |
| Operating Margin | 20.2% | 19.5% |
| Forward P/E | 5.7x | 19.0x |
| Total Debt | $18.94B | $18.94B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $615M | $615M |
CMSA vs CMS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMS Energy Corporat… (CMSA) | 100 | 83.5 | -16.5% |
| CMS Energy Corporat… (CMS) | 100 | 126.3 | +26.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CMSA vs CMS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CMSA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 19 yrs, beta 0.73, yield 10.0%
- Rev growth 13.6%, EPS growth 6.0%, 3Y rev CAGR -0.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.73, current ratio 0.98x
CMS is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 119.4% 10Y total return vs CMSA's 33.2%
- 12.5% margin vs CMSA's 12.5%
- Beta 0.01 vs CMSA's 0.73
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 13.6% revenue growth vs CMS's 13.6% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (5.7x vs 19.0x), PEG 0.95 vs 3.18 | |
| Quality / Margins | 12.5% margin vs CMSA's 12.5% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.01 vs CMSA's 0.73 | |
| Dividends | 10.0% yield, 19-year raise streak, vs CMS's 3.0% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +9.8% vs CMS's +3.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 2.8% ROA vs CMSA's 2.8%, ROIC 4.9% vs 4.9% |
CMSA vs CMS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CMSA vs CMS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — CMSA and CMS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CMS and CMSA operate at a comparable scale, with $8.8B and $8.5B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 12.5% (CMS) to 12.5% (CMSA).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $8.5B | $8.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.9B | $2.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.1B | $1.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$1.6B | -$2.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +60.9% | +64.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +20.2% | +19.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.5% | +12.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -18.6% | -23.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +12.3% | +11.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.8% | +11.9% |
Valuation Metrics
CMSA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 6.2x trailing earnings, CMSA trades at a 70% valuation discount to CMS's 21.0x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), CMSA offers better value at 1.04x vs CMS's 3.50x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $6.6B | $22.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $25.0B | $41.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 6.25x | 20.95x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 5.69x | 19.05x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.04x | 3.50x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.67x | 14.31x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.78x | 2.68x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.68x | 2.29x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
CMS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CMS delivers a 11.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $12 for CMSA. CMSA carries lower financial leverage with a 1.95x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CMS's 1.95x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +11.6% | +11.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.8% | +2.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.9% | +4.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +5.0% | +5.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.95x | 1.95x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $18.3B | $18.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $615M | $615M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $18.9B | $18.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.58x | 2.58x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CMS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CMS five years ago would be worth $13,036 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,772 for CMSA. Over the past 12 months, CMSA leads with a +9.8% total return vs CMS's +3.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CMS at 9.2% vs CMSA's 1.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +0.9% | +5.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +9.8% | +3.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +5.9% | +30.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +7.7% | +30.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +33.2% | +119.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +1.9% | +9.2% |
Risk & Volatility
CMS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CMS is the less volatile stock with a 0.01 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CMSA's 0.73 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.73x | 0.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $24.67 | $80.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.11 | $67.71 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +89.4% | +92.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 68.9 | 38.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 14K | 2.6M |
Analyst Outlook
CMSA leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, CMSA offers the higher dividend yield at 10.00% vs CMS's 2.98%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $81.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 29 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +10.0% | +3.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 19 | 19 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.21 | $2.21 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
CMS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). CMSA leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
CMSA vs CMS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CMSA or CMS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CMS Energy Corporation 5.
6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) is the stronger pick with 13. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 13. 6% for CMS Energy Corporation (CMS). CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) offers the better valuation at 6. 2x trailing P/E (5. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) a "Buy" — based on 29 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CMSA or CMS?
On trailing P/E, CMS Energy Corporation 5.
6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) is the cheapest at 6. 2x versus CMS Energy Corporation at 21. 0x. On forward P/E, CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 is actually cheaper at 5. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 wins at 0. 95x versus CMS Energy Corporation's 3. 18x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CMSA or CMS?
Over the past 5 years, CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) delivered a total return of +30.
4%, compared to +7. 7% for CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CMS returned +119. 4% versus CMSA's +33. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CMSA or CMS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
01β versus CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78's 0. 73β — meaning CMSA is approximately 11160% more volatile than CMS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 195% versus 195% for CMS Energy Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CMSA or CMS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CMS Energy Corporation 5.
6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) is pulling ahead at 13. 6% versus 13. 6% for CMS Energy Corporation (CMS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 grew EPS 6. 0% year-over-year, compared to 6. 0% for CMS Energy Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CMSA leads at -0. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CMSA or CMS?
CMS Energy Corporation 5.
6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 5% net margin versus 12. 5% for CMS Energy Corporation — meaning it keeps 12. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CMSA leads at 20. 2% versus 20. 2% for CMS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CMSA leads at 60. 9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CMSA or CMS more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 95x versus CMS Energy Corporation's 3. 18x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) trades at 5. 7x forward P/E versus 19. 0x for CMS Energy Corporation — 13. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CMSA or CMS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
CMS Energy Corporation 5. 6% JRSUB NT 78 (CMSA) offers the highest yield at 10. 0%, versus 3. 0% for CMS Energy Corporation (CMS).
09Is CMSA or CMS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
01), 3. 0% yield, +119. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CMS: +119. 4%, CMSA: +33. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CMSA and CMS?
Both stocks operate in the Utilities sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CMSA is a small-cap deep-value stock; CMS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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