Regulated Electric
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DTW vs AEP vs EXC vs NEE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Regulated Electric
Regulated Electric
Regulated Electric
DTW vs AEP vs EXC vs NEE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Regulated Electric | Regulated Electric | Regulated Electric | Regulated Electric |
| Market Cap | $3.90B | $71.69B | $45.43B | $194.60B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $15.63B | $22.16B | $24.79B | $27.93B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.46B | $3.65B | $2.78B | $8.18B |
| Gross Margin | 37.6% | 40.4% | 29.5% | 47.8% |
| Operating Margin | 14.4% | 23.5% | 21.0% | 29.5% |
| Forward P/E | 2.8x | 20.8x | 15.6x | 23.1x |
| Total Debt | $26.52B | $50.24B | $50.55B | $95.62B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $250M | $268M | $1.15B | $2.81B |
DTW vs AEP vs EXC vs NEE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTE Energy Company … (DTW) | 100 | 83.5 | -16.5% |
| American Electric P… (AEP) | 100 | 154.6 | +54.6% |
| Exelon Corporation (EXC) | 100 | 162.6 | +62.6% |
| NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) | 100 | 146.1 | +46.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: DTW vs AEP vs EXC vs NEE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
DTW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and defensive.
- Rev growth 26.9%, EPS growth 4.3%, 3Y rev CAGR -6.3%
- Beta 0.80, yield 19.4%, current ratio 0.80x
- 26.9% revenue growth vs EXC's 5.3%
- Lower P/E (2.8x vs 15.6x)
AEP is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 21 yrs, beta 0.01, yield 2.9%
- 146.9% 10Y total return vs NEE's 266.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.01, current ratio 0.45x
- Beta 0.01 vs DTW's 0.80, lower leverage
EXC lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
NEE is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if valuation efficiency is your priority.
- PEG 1.33 vs EXC's 2.44
- 29.3% margin vs DTW's 9.4%
- +42.0% vs EXC's -0.7%
- 3.9% ROA vs EXC's 2.4%, ROIC 4.1% vs 5.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 26.9% revenue growth vs EXC's 5.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (2.8x vs 15.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 29.3% margin vs DTW's 9.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.01 vs DTW's 0.80, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 19.4% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs NEE's 2.4% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +42.0% vs EXC's -0.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.9% ROA vs EXC's 2.4%, ROIC 4.1% vs 5.1% |
DTW vs AEP vs EXC vs NEE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
DTW vs AEP vs EXC vs NEE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
NEE leads in 1 of 6 categories
DTW leads 1 • AEP leads 1 • EXC leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NEE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NEE is the larger business by revenue, generating $27.9B annually — 1.8x DTW's $15.6B. NEE is the more profitable business, keeping 29.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to DTW's 9.4%. On growth, DTW holds the edge at +23.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $15.6B | $22.2B | $24.8B | $27.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $4.1B | $8.8B | $8.9B | $15.5B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.5B | $3.7B | $2.8B | $8.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$1.0B | $840M | -$2.2B | -$3.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +37.6% | +40.4% | +29.5% | +47.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +14.4% | +23.5% | +21.0% | +29.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.4% | +16.5% | +11.2% | +29.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.4% | +3.8% | -8.7% | -13.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +23.4% | +6.8% | +7.9% | +7.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +27.7% | +6.7% | 0.0% | +160.0% |
Valuation Metrics
DTW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 3.1x trailing earnings, DTW trades at a 89% valuation discount to NEE's 28.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), NEE offers better value at 1.64x vs EXC's 2.54x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.9B | $71.7B | $45.4B | $194.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $30.2B | $121.7B | $94.8B | $287.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 3.08x | 19.78x | 16.21x | 28.36x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 2.81x | 20.77x | 15.57x | 23.07x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.32x | 2.54x | 1.64x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.05x | 13.84x | 10.79x | 18.73x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.25x | 3.29x | 1.87x | 7.08x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.37x | 2.13x | 1.56x | 2.93x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
AEP leads this category, winning 4 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NEE delivers a 12.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $10 for EXC. NEE carries lower financial leverage with a 1.44x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to DTW's 2.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), DTW scores 7/9 vs NEE's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.2% | +11.5% | +9.8% | +12.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.8% | +3.2% | +2.4% | +3.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.8% | +5.1% | +5.1% | +4.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +5.1% | +5.5% | +5.0% | +4.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.16x | 1.56x | 1.76x | 1.44x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $26.3B | $50.0B | $49.4B | $92.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $250M | $268M | $1.2B | $2.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $26.5B | $50.2B | $50.6B | $95.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.94x | 2.61x | 2.42x | 1.99x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — AEP and NEE each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AEP five years ago would be worth $17,068 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,754 for DTW. Over the past 12 months, NEE leads with a +42.0% total return vs EXC's -0.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AEP at 15.7% vs DTW's 2.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +2.9% | +14.6% | +2.1% | +16.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +7.1% | +26.1% | -0.7% | +42.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +8.0% | +54.7% | +14.6% | +31.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +7.5% | +70.7% | +61.8% | +38.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +30.0% | +146.9% | +125.0% | +266.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +2.6% | +15.7% | +4.7% | +9.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — EXC and NEE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EXC is the less volatile stock with a -0.14 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than DTW's 0.80 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NEE currently trades 94.5% from its 52-week high vs EXC's 87.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.80x | 0.01x | -0.14x | 0.21x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $23.23 | $139.44 | $50.65 | $98.75 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.89 | $97.46 | $41.71 | $63.88 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.5% | +94.5% | +87.7% | +94.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 70.3 | 46.5 | 33.7 | 54.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 25K | 2.9M | 8.3M | 8.7M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — DTW and NEE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: AEP as "Buy", EXC as "Hold", NEE as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 10.7% upside for EXC (target: $49) vs 3.4% for AEP (target: $136). For income investors, DTW offers the higher dividend yield at 19.37% vs NEE's 2.40%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $136.20 | $49.18 | $98.13 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 35 | 35 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +19.4% | +2.9% | +3.6% | +2.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 21 | 1 | 30 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $4.21 | $3.86 | $1.60 | $2.24 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
NEE leads in 1 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow). DTW leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
DTW vs AEP vs EXC vs NEE: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E (DTW) is the stronger pick with 26.
9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 3% for Exelon Corporation (EXC). DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E (DTW) offers the better valuation at 3. 1x trailing P/E (2. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) a "Buy" — based on 35 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 — DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE?
On trailing P/E, DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E (DTW) is the cheapest at 3.
1x versus NextEra Energy, Inc. at 28. 4x. On forward P/E, DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E is actually cheaper at 2. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: NextEra Energy, Inc. wins at 1. 33x versus Exelon Corporation's 2. 44x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE?
Over the past 5 years, American Electric Power Company, Inc.
(AEP) delivered a total return of +70. 7%, compared to +7. 5% for DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E (DTW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NEE returned +266. 0% versus DTW's +30. 0%. 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 — DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Exelon Corporation (EXC) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
14β versus DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E's 0. 80β — meaning DTW is approximately -669% more volatile than EXC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 144% versus 2% for DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E (DTW) is pulling ahead at 26.
9% versus 5. 3% for Exelon Corporation (EXC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: American Electric Power Company, Inc. grew EPS 19. 4% year-over-year, compared to -2. 4% for NextEra Energy, 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.
06Which has better profit margins — DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE?
NextEra Energy, Inc.
(NEE) is the more profitable company, earning 24. 9% net margin versus 9. 2% for DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E — 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 15. 0% for DTW. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DTW 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.
07Is DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE 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, NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 33x versus Exelon Corporation's 2. 44x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E (DTW) trades at 2. 8x forward P/E versus 23. 1x for NextEra Energy, Inc. — 20. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EXC: 10. 7% to $49. 18.
08Which pays a better dividend — DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
DTE Energy Company JR SUB DB 2017 E (DTW) offers the highest yield at 19. 4%, versus 2. 4% for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE).
09Is DTW or AEP or EXC or NEE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Exelon Corporation (EXC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
14), 3. 6% yield, +125. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EXC: +125. 0%, DTW: +30. 0%), 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 DTW and AEP and EXC and NEE?
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: DTW is a small-cap high-growth stock; AEP is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; EXC is a mid-cap deep-value stock; NEE 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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