NGG vs GE vs EMR vs RTX

For growth investors, GE Aerospace (GE) is the stronger pick with 18.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 4% for National Grid plc (NGG). National Grid plc (NGG) offers the better valuation at 21. 4x trailing P/E (21. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate National Grid plc (NGG) 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.

On trailing P/E, National Grid plc (NGG) is the cheapest at 21.

4x versus GE Aerospace at 37. 1x. On forward P/E, National Grid plc is actually cheaper at 21. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: National Grid plc wins at 2. 08x versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 4. 81x.

Over the past 5 years, GE Aerospace (GE) delivered a total return of +362.

5%, compared to +59. 5% for Emerson Electric Co. (EMR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RTX returned +234. 7% versus NGG's +60. 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), National Grid plc (NGG) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

08β versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 1. 52β — meaning EMR is approximately 1780% more volatile than NGG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, RTX Corporation (RTX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 59% versus 126% for National Grid plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), GE Aerospace (GE) is pulling ahead at 18.

5% versus -7. 4% for National Grid plc (NGG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: RTX Corporation grew EPS 39. 7% year-over-year, compared to 7. 3% for National Grid plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, GE leads at 16. 3% 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.

GE Aerospace (GE) is the more profitable company, earning 19.

0% net margin versus 7. 6% for RTX Corporation — meaning it keeps 19. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NGG leads at 26. 8% versus 10. 0% for RTX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NGG leads at 77. 4%, 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, National Grid plc (NGG) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 08x versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 4. 81x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, National Grid plc (NGG) trades at 21. 6x forward P/E versus 40. 0x for GE Aerospace — 18. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GE: 27. 6% to $386. 20.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

National Grid plc (NGG) offers the highest yield at 2. 5%, versus 0. 4% for GE Aerospace (GE).

For long-horizon retirement investors, National Grid plc (NGG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

08), 2. 5% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NGG: +60. 1%, GE: +121. 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.

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

In terms of investment character: NGG is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; GE is a large-cap high-growth stock; EMR is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; RTX is a large-cap quality compounder stock. NGG, EMR, RTX pay a dividend while GE 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.