Renewable Utilities
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
BEP vs CWEN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Renewable Utilities
BEP vs CWEN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Renewable Utilities | Renewable Utilities |
| Market Cap | $10.31B | $8.00B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.43B | $1.43B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $212M | $169M |
| Gross Margin | 44.8% | 50.3% |
| Operating Margin | 13.3% | 12.0% |
| Forward P/E | — | 27.4x |
| Total Debt | $35.73B | $10.20B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.31B | $818M |
BEP vs CWEN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookfield Renewabl… (BEP) | 100 | 132.5 | +32.5% |
| Clearway Energy, In… (CWEN) | 100 | 175.7 | +75.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BEP vs CWEN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
BEP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 10.9%, EPS growth 92.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 11.4%
- 10.9% revenue growth vs CWEN's 4.2%
- 12.0% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs CWEN's 7.7%
CWEN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.54, yield 7.7%
- 235.3% 10Y total return vs BEP's 191.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.54, current ratio 1.13x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 10.9% revenue growth vs CWEN's 4.2% | |
| Quality / Margins | 11.8% margin vs BEP's 3.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.54 vs BEP's 0.85 | |
| Dividends | 12.0% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs CWEN's 7.7% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +57.7% vs CWEN's +42.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.1% ROA vs BEP's 0.2%, ROIC 0.9% vs 0.9% |
BEP vs CWEN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
BEP vs CWEN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CWEN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BEP is the larger business by revenue, generating $6.4B annually — 4.5x CWEN's $1.4B. CWEN is the more profitable business, keeping 11.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BEP's 3.3%. On growth, CWEN holds the edge at +21.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $6.4B | $1.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.3B | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $212M | $169M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$8.3B | $268M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.8% | +50.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.3% | +12.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.3% | +11.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -128.7% | +18.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.1% | +21.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.3% | -35.3% |
Valuation Metrics
BEP leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, BEP's 13.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CWEN's 16.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $10.3B | $8.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $43.7B | $17.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -499.70x | 27.42x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.61x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.10x | 16.38x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.58x | 5.60x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.28x | 0.78x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 21.68x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CWEN leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CWEN delivers a 3.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $1 for BEP. BEP carries lower financial leverage with a 1.02x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CWEN's 1.72x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BEP scores 5/9 vs CWEN's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +0.6% | +3.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.2% | +1.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +0.9% | +0.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.1% | +1.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.02x | 1.72x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $33.4B | $9.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.3B | $818M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $35.7B | $10.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.04x | 0.55x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CWEN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CWEN five years ago would be worth $16,915 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,895 for BEP. Over the past 12 months, BEP leads with a +57.7% total return vs CWEN's +42.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CWEN at 13.2% vs BEP's 6.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +22.0% | +16.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +57.7% | +42.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.7% | +45.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +8.9% | +69.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +191.2% | +235.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +6.5% | +13.2% |
Risk & Volatility
CWEN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CWEN is the less volatile stock with a 0.54 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BEP's 0.85 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 | 0.85x | 0.54x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $35.97 | $41.54 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.17 | $27.67 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.6% | +93.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.4 | 46.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 849K | 834K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — BEP and CWEN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BEP as "Buy" and CWEN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 12.2% upside for CWEN (target: $44) vs 4.4% for BEP (target: $35). For income investors, BEP offers the higher dividend yield at 12.00% vs CWEN's 7.73%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $35.17 | $43.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 20 | 16 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +12.0% | +7.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $4.04 | $3.01 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
CWEN leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). BEP leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
BEP vs CWEN: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BEP or CWEN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Brookfield Renewable Partners L.
P. (BEP) is the stronger pick with 10. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 2% for Clearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN). Clearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN) offers the better valuation at 27. 4x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Brookfield Renewable Partners L. P. (BEP) a "Buy" — based on 20 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 is the better long-term investment — BEP or CWEN?
Over the past 5 years, Clearway Energy, Inc.
(CWEN) delivered a total return of +69. 1%, compared to +8. 9% for Brookfield Renewable Partners L. P. (BEP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CWEN returned +235. 3% versus BEP's +191. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — BEP or CWEN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Clearway Energy, Inc.
(CWEN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 54β versus Brookfield Renewable Partners L. P. 's 0. 85β — meaning BEP is approximately 58% more volatile than CWEN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Brookfield Renewable Partners L. P. (BEP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 102% versus 172% for Clearway Energy, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — BEP or CWEN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Brookfield Renewable Partners L.
P. (BEP) is pulling ahead at 10. 9% versus 4. 2% for Clearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Brookfield Renewable Partners L. P. grew EPS 92. 4% year-over-year, compared to 89. 3% for Clearway Energy, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, BEP leads at 11. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — BEP or CWEN?
Clearway Energy, Inc.
(CWEN) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 8% net margin versus -0. 3% for Brookfield Renewable Partners L. P. — meaning it keeps 11. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BEP leads at 13. 4% versus 12. 3% for CWEN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BEP leads at 16. 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — BEP or CWEN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Brookfield Renewable Partners L. P. (BEP) offers the highest yield at 12. 0%, versus 7. 7% for Clearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN).
07Is BEP or CWEN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Clearway Energy, Inc.
(CWEN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 54), 7. 7% yield, +235. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CWEN: +235. 3%, BEP: +191. 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.
08What are the main differences between BEP and CWEN?
Both stocks operate in the Utilities sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.
Compare CWEN vs BEPC
BEPC is one of the most direct listed alternatives to CWEN.
Compare BEP vs NEE
NEE overlaps with BEP in an adjacent operating segment worth comparing.
Expand With BEPC + NEE
BEPC and NEE are the strongest missing peers across the current compare set.