FTS vs CMS vs WEC vs EVRG vs AEE

For growth investors, Ameren Corporation (AEE) is the stronger pick with 15.

4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 7% for Evergy, Inc. (EVRG). Ameren Corporation (AEE) offers the better valuation at 20. 3x trailing P/E (20. 3x 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, Ameren Corporation (AEE) is the cheapest at 20.

3x versus WEC Energy Group, Inc. at 23. 3x. On forward P/E, Fortis Inc. is actually cheaper at 15. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Ameren Corporation wins at 2. 29x versus WEC Energy Group, Inc. 's 4. 06x.

Over the past 5 years, Evergy, Inc.

(EVRG) delivered a total return of +49. 1%, compared to +30. 4% for CMS Energy Corporation (CMS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AEE returned +170. 4% versus EVRG's +100. 7%. 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), Fortis Inc.

(FTS) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 26β versus Evergy, Inc. 's 0. 06β — meaning EVRG is approximately -124% more volatile than FTS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Fortis Inc. (FTS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 134% versus 195% for CMS Energy Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ameren Corporation (AEE) is pulling ahead at 15.

4% versus 1. 7% for Evergy, Inc. (EVRG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ameren Corporation grew EPS 21. 0% year-over-year, compared to -3. 4% for Evergy, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AEE leads at 3. 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.

Ameren Corporation (AEE) is the more profitable company, earning 16.

5% net margin versus 12. 5% for CMS Energy Corporation — meaning it keeps 16. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FTS leads at 28. 7% versus 20. 2% for CMS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FTS leads at 72. 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.

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, Ameren Corporation (AEE) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 29x 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, Fortis Inc. (FTS) trades at 15. 2x forward P/E versus 20. 3x for Ameren Corporation — 5. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AEE: 11. 4% to $121. 11.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Evergy, Inc. (EVRG) offers the highest yield at 3. 2%, versus 1. 9% for Fortis Inc. (FTS).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Fortis Inc.

(FTS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 26), 1. 9% yield, +130. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FTS: +130. 8%, EVRG: +100. 7%), 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: FTS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; CMS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; WEC is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; EVRG is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; AEE is a mid-cap high-growth 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.