AMRC vs NEE

For growth investors, NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is the stronger pick with 11. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 9. 2% for Ameresco, Inc. (AMRC). NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) offers the better valuation at 29. 3x trailing P/E (23. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ameresco, Inc. (AMRC) a "Buy" — based on 23 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.

On trailing P/E, NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is the cheapest at 29. 3x versus Ameresco, Inc. at 37. 1x. On forward P/E, NextEra Energy, Inc. is actually cheaper at 23. 8x.

Over the past 5 years, NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) delivered a total return of +43. 6%, compared to -37. 1% for Ameresco, Inc. (AMRC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AMRC returned +599. 5% versus NEE's +276. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 21β versus Ameresco, Inc. 's 2. 03β — meaning AMRC is approximately 879% more volatile than NEE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 144% versus 173% for Ameresco, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is pulling ahead at 11. 0% versus 9. 2% for Ameresco, Inc. (AMRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NextEra Energy, Inc. grew EPS -2. 4% year-over-year, compared to -22. 4% for Ameresco, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NEE leads at 9. 4% 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.

NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is the more profitable company, earning 24. 9% net margin versus 2. 3% for Ameresco, Inc. — meaning it keeps 24. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NEE leads at 30. 1% versus 6. 5% for AMRC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NEE leads at 62. 8%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) trades at 23. 8x forward P/E versus 26. 0x for Ameresco, Inc. — 2. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AMRC: 40. 3% to $43. 17.

In this comparison, NEE (2.

3% yield) pays a dividend. AMRC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, NextEra Energy, Inc.

(NEE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 21), 2. 3% yield, +276. 1% 10Y return). Ameresco, Inc. (AMRC) carries a higher beta of 2. 03 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NEE: +276. 1%, AMRC: +599. 5%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (AMRC (Industrials) and NEE (Utilities)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

NEE pays a dividend while AMRC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.