CNP
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Regulated Electric
Market Cap$27.64B
5Y Perf.+138.1%
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Stock Comparison
CNP vs EVRG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
EVRG
Evergy, Inc.
Regulated Electric
Market Cap$18.65B
5Y Perf.+31.3%
CNP vs EVRG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CNP | EVRG |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Regulated Electric | Regulated Electric |
| Market Cap | $27.64B | $18.65B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $9.41B | $5.80B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.07B | $850M |
| Gross Margin | 41.3% | 32.2% |
| Operating Margin | 22.5% | 24.8% |
| Forward P/E | 22.2x | 19.1x |
| Total Debt | $23.66B | $245M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $49M | $200K |
CNP vs EVRG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CNP
EVRG
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CenterPoint Energy,… (CNP) | 100 | 238.1 | +138.1% |
| Evergy, Inc. (EVRG) | 100 | 131.3 | +31.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CNP vs EVRG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: EVRG leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CNP
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
The Growth Play
CNP is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 8.3%, EPS growth 1.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 0.1%
- 136.8% 10Y total return vs EVRG's 99.4%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.03, current ratio 0.91x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
EVRG
Evergy, Inc.
The Income Pick
EVRG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 0.06, yield 3.2%
- Lower P/E (19.1x vs 22.2x)
- 14.6% margin vs CNP's 11.4%
Best for: income & stability
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CNP | 8.3% revenue growth vs EVRG's 2.4% |
| Value | EVRG | Lower P/E (19.1x vs 22.2x) |
| Quality / Margins | EVRG | 14.6% margin vs CNP's 11.4% |
| Stability / Safety | EVRG | Lower D/E ratio (7.1% vs 212.2%) |
| Dividends | EVRG | 3.2% yield, 6-year raise streak, vs CNP's 2.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | EVRG | +20.9% vs CNP's +11.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | EVRG | 2.5% ROA vs CNP's 2.3%, ROIC 8.3% vs 4.8% |
CNP vs EVRG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2017
CNP vs EVRG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLEVRGLAGGINGCNP
CNPCenterPoint Energy, I…
2leads
EVRGEvergy, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CNPMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
EVRG3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
EVRG8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CNP4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CNP2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
EVRG2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — CNP and EVRG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CNP is the larger business by revenue, generating $9.4B annually — 1.6x EVRG's $5.8B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 14.6% (EVRG) to 11.4% (CNP). On growth, CNP holds the edge at +1.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CNPCenterPoint Energ… | EVRGEvergy, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $9.4B | $5.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.7B | $2.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.1B | $850M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$2.7B | -$340M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +41.3% | +32.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +22.5% | +24.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +11.4% | +14.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -28.4% | -5.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.9% | -1.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.7% | +0.5% |
Evenly matched — CNP and EVRG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
EVRG leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 22.1x trailing earnings, EVRG trades at a 16% valuation discount to CNP's 26.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, EVRG's 7.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CNP's 14.1x.
| Metric | CNPCenterPoint Energ… | EVRGEvergy, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $27.6B | $18.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $51.3B | $18.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 26.46x | 22.13x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 22.17x | 19.11x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 3.62x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 14.08x | 7.01x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.95x | 3.13x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.49x | 5.47x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
EVRG leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EVRG leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CNP delivers a 9.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $8 for EVRG. EVRG carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CNP's 2.12x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), EVRG scores 7/9 vs CNP's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | CNPCenterPoint Energ… | EVRGEvergy, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.6% | +8.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.3% | +2.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.8% | +8.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +5.2% | +7.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.12x | 0.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $23.6B | $245M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $49M | $200,000 |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $23.7B | $245M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.38x | 2.49x |
EVRG leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CNP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CNP five years ago would be worth $18,954 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $14,667 for EVRG. Over the past 12 months, EVRG leads with a +20.9% total return vs CNP's +11.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CNP at 14.0% vs EVRG's 12.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CNPCenterPoint Energ… | EVRGEvergy, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +9.9% | +11.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +11.0% | +20.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +48.2% | +43.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +89.5% | +46.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +136.8% | +99.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +14.0% | +12.7% |
CNP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CNP leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CNP is the less volatile stock with a -0.03 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than EVRG's 0.06 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | CNPCenterPoint Energ… | EVRGEvergy, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.03x | 0.06x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $44.47 | $85.27 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $35.46 | $63.29 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.2% | +95.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.2 | 49.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.6M | 1.8M |
CNP leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
EVRG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CNP as "Hold" and EVRG as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 9.9% upside for EVRG (target: $89) vs 2.8% for CNP (target: $44). For income investors, EVRG offers the higher dividend yield at 3.24% vs CNP's 2.07%.
| Metric | CNPCenterPoint Energ… | EVRGEvergy, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $43.50 | $89.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 30 | 18 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.1% | +3.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.88 | $2.62 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
EVRG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
EVRG leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). CNP leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallEvergy, Inc. (EVRG)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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CNP vs EVRG: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CNP or EVRG a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
(CNP) is the stronger pick with 8. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 4% for Evergy, Inc. (EVRG). Evergy, Inc. (EVRG) offers the better valuation at 22. 1x trailing P/E (19. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) a "Hold" — based on 30 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 — CNP or EVRG?
On trailing P/E, Evergy, Inc.
(EVRG) is the cheapest at 22. 1x versus CenterPoint Energy, Inc. at 26. 5x. On forward P/E, Evergy, Inc. is actually cheaper at 19. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CNP or EVRG?
Over the past 5 years, CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
(CNP) delivered a total return of +89. 5%, compared to +46. 7% for Evergy, Inc. (EVRG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CNP returned +136. 8% versus EVRG's +99. 4%. 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 — CNP or EVRG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
(CNP) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 03β versus Evergy, Inc. 's 0. 06β — meaning EVRG is approximately -287% more volatile than CNP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Evergy, Inc. (EVRG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 2% for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CNP or EVRG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
(CNP) is pulling ahead at 8. 3% versus 2. 4% for Evergy, Inc. (EVRG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CenterPoint Energy, Inc. grew EPS 1. 3% year-over-year, compared to -3. 4% for Evergy, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EVRG leads at 0. 6% 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 — CNP or EVRG?
Evergy, Inc.
(EVRG) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 4% net margin versus 11. 2% for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EVRG leads at 25. 7% versus 22. 6% for CNP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EVRG leads at 83. 3%, 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 CNP or EVRG more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Evergy, Inc.
(EVRG) trades at 19. 1x forward P/E versus 22. 2x for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. — 3. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EVRG: 9. 9% to $89. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — CNP or EVRG?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Evergy, Inc. (EVRG) offers the highest yield at 3. 2%, versus 2. 1% for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP).
09Is CNP or EVRG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
(CNP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 03), 2. 1% yield, +136. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CNP: +136. 8%, EVRG: +99. 4%), 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 CNP and EVRG?
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: CNP is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; EVRG is a mid-cap income-oriented 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(CNP: 1.9% · EVRG: -1.4%)Net Margin>
%
(CNP: 11.4% · EVRG: 14.6%)P/E Ratio<
x
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