DTE vs CMS vs WEC vs ED

For growth investors, DTE Energy Company (DTE) is the stronger pick with 26.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 10. 9% for Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED). Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) offers the better valuation at 18. 9x trailing P/E (17. 4x 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.

On trailing P/E, Consolidated Edison, Inc.

(ED) is the cheapest at 18. 9x versus WEC Energy Group, Inc. at 23. 3x. On forward P/E, Consolidated Edison, Inc. is actually cheaper at 17. 4x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Consolidated Edison, Inc. wins at 1. 52x versus WEC Energy Group, Inc. 's 4. 06x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Consolidated Edison, Inc.

(ED) delivered a total return of +57. 2%, compared to +30. 4% for CMS Energy Corporation (CMS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WEC returned +133. 1% versus ED's +84. 5%. 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), Consolidated Edison, Inc.

(ED) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 41β versus DTE Energy Company's 0. 07β — meaning DTE is approximately -118% more volatile than ED relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 119% versus 2% for DTE Energy Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), DTE Energy Company (DTE) is pulling ahead at 26.

9% versus 10. 9% for Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Consolidated Edison, Inc. grew EPS 7. 6% year-over-year, compared to 0. 0% for WEC Energy Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ED leads at 2. 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.

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

(WEC) is the more profitable company, earning 15. 9% net margin versus 9. 2% for DTE Energy Company — meaning it keeps 15. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WEC leads at 24. 2% versus 15. 0% for DTE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DTE leads at 84. 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.

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, Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 52x versus WEC Energy Group, Inc. 's 4. 06x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) trades at 17. 4x forward P/E versus 20. 2x for WEC Energy Group, Inc. — 2. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DTE: 12. 7% to $159. 88.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC) offers the highest yield at 3. 1%, versus 3. 0% for DTE Energy Company (DTE).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Consolidated Edison, Inc.

(ED) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 41), 3. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ED: +84. 5%, DTE: +130. 8%), 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.

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: DTE is a mid-cap high-growth stock; CMS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; WEC is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; ED 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.