Renewable Utilities
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RNW vs CWEN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Renewable Utilities
RNW vs CWEN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Renewable Utilities | Renewable Utilities |
| Market Cap | $1.34B | $7.91B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $129.66B | $1.43B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $11.97B | $169M |
| Gross Margin | 77.9% | 50.3% |
| Operating Margin | 48.4% | 12.0% |
| Forward P/E | 0.4x | 27.1x |
| Total Debt | $732.28B | $10.20B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $40.42B | $818M |
RNW vs CWEN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Feb 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReNew Energy Global… (RNW) | 100 | 49.5 | -50.5% |
| Clearway Energy, In… (CWEN) | 100 | 140.2 | +40.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: RNW vs CWEN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
RNW is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 19.4%, EPS growth 10.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 17.8%
- 19.4% revenue growth vs CWEN's 4.2%
- Lower P/E (0.4x vs 27.1x)
CWEN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.54, yield 7.8%
- 223.7% 10Y total return vs RNW's -50.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.54, current ratio 1.13x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 19.4% revenue growth vs CWEN's 4.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (0.4x vs 27.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 11.8% margin vs RNW's 9.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.54 vs RNW's 0.62, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 7.8% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +40.5% vs RNW's -14.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.2% ROA vs CWEN's 1.1%, ROIC 4.9% vs 0.9% |
RNW vs CWEN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
RNW 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)
RNW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RNW is the larger business by revenue, generating $129.7B annually — 90.7x CWEN's $1.4B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 11.8% (CWEN) to 9.2% (RNW). On growth, RNW holds the edge at +37.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $129.7B | $1.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $86.9B | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $12.0B | $169M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$23.8B | $268M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +77.9% | +50.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +48.4% | +12.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.2% | +11.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -18.4% | +18.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +37.2% | +21.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +94.8% | -35.3% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — RNW and CWEN each lead in 2 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 27.1x trailing earnings, CWEN trades at a 43% valuation discount to RNW's 47.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, RNW's 11.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CWEN's 16.3x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.3B | $7.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $8.6B | $17.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 47.45x | 27.11x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 0.40x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.60x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.29x | 16.30x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.31x | 5.53x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.45x | 0.77x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 21.43x |
Profitability & Efficiency
RNW leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
RNW delivers a 8.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 in annual profit, vs $3 for CWEN. CWEN carries lower financial leverage with a 1.72x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to RNW's 5.59x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.4% | +3.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.2% | +1.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.9% | +0.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.9% | +1.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 5.59x | 1.72x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $691.9B | $9.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $40.4B | $818M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $732.3B | $10.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 86.76x | 0.55x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CWEN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CWEN five years ago would be worth $16,952 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,499 for RNW. Over the past 12 months, CWEN leads with a +40.5% total return vs RNW's -14.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CWEN at 13.1% vs RNW's 1.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -7.0% | +14.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -14.2% | +40.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +5.4% | +44.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -45.0% | +69.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -50.0% | +223.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +1.8% | +13.1% |
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 RNW's 0.62 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CWEN currently trades 92.7% from its 52-week high vs RNW's 66.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.62x | 0.54x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $8.24 | $41.54 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.38 | $27.67 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +66.1% | +92.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 61.2 | 47.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 733K | 826K |
Analyst Outlook
CWEN leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates RNW as "Buy" and CWEN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 19.6% upside for RNW (target: $7) vs 13.5% for CWEN (target: $44). CWEN is the only dividend payer here at 7.82% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $6.52 | $43.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 16 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +7.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $3.01 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
CWEN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). RNW leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
RNW vs CWEN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is RNW or CWEN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, ReNew Energy Global Plc (RNW) is the stronger pick with 19.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 2% for Clearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN). Clearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN) offers the better valuation at 27. 1x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ReNew Energy Global Plc (RNW) a "Buy" — based on 6 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 — RNW or CWEN?
On trailing P/E, Clearway Energy, Inc.
(CWEN) is the cheapest at 27. 1x versus ReNew Energy Global Plc at 47. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — RNW or CWEN?
Over the past 5 years, Clearway Energy, Inc.
(CWEN) delivered a total return of +69. 5%, compared to -45. 0% for ReNew Energy Global Plc (RNW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CWEN returned +223. 7% versus RNW's -50. 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 — RNW or CWEN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Clearway Energy, Inc.
(CWEN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 54β versus ReNew Energy Global Plc's 0. 62β — meaning RNW is approximately 15% more volatile than CWEN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Clearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 172% versus 6% for ReNew Energy Global Plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — RNW or CWEN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), ReNew Energy Global Plc (RNW) is pulling ahead at 19.
4% versus 4. 2% for Clearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Clearway Energy, Inc. grew EPS 89. 3% year-over-year, compared to 10. 1% for ReNew Energy Global Plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, RNW leads at 17. 8% 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 — RNW or CWEN?
Clearway Energy, Inc.
(CWEN) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 8% net margin versus 3. 9% for ReNew Energy Global Plc — meaning it keeps 11. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RNW leads at 53. 5% versus 12. 3% for CWEN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RNW leads at 91. 1%, 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 RNW or CWEN more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for RNW: 19.
6% to $6. 52.
08Which pays a better dividend — RNW or CWEN?
In this comparison, CWEN (7.
8% yield) pays a dividend. RNW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is RNW 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. 8% yield, +223. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CWEN: +223. 7%, RNW: -50. 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 RNW 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.
In terms of investment character: RNW is a small-cap high-growth stock; CWEN is a small-cap income-oriented stock. CWEN pays a dividend while RNW 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.
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