AES Corp vs Danaher Corporation — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.66 (market cap $10.51B), while Danaher Corporation trades at $207.4 (market cap $147.18B). The key difference: Danaher Corporation is far larger — about 14× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays the higher dividend (4.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | DHR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $147.18B |
Sector | Utilities | Health |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $242.05 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $161.91 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | $169.39B |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | 0.76% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AES trades at $14.73, up 0.2% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company reported strong profitability with a net income margin of 14.34% and ROE of 45.05% for 2025, though Q2 2026 EPS missed expectations. A pending $33.4 billion acquisition by a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT, approved by stockholders, dominates recent developments, alongside a consistent dividend payout.
The acquisition offers a near-term catalyst with a capped upside at the buyout price of $15 per share, presenting a low-risk arbitrage opportunity. Risks include deal completion uncertainty amid shareholder complaints and regulatory scrutiny. Analyst consensus is mixed with 43% buy ratings, reflecting cautious optimism tied to the acquisition's successful closure and the company's strategic shift toward renewable energy investments.
Danaher (DHR) trades at $207.44, up 1.31% today, near its pivot point of $207. The stock exhibits a bullish technical trend, supported by moving averages, though RSI levels suggest overbought conditions. Fundamentally, the company maintains strong profitability with a 58.51% gross margin and has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights the acquisition of Masimo and new product launches from its SCIEX unit, signaling growth initiatives.
The outlook remains positive with analyst consensus favoring a Buy rating and a $202.33 price target, though the current price exceeds this. Risks include a high P/E ratio of 37.32 and ongoing legal settlements, but robust cash flow and institutional accumulation provide support. Earnings growth in the biotechnology segment is a key catalyst for further upside.
Trailing returns across standard periods
AES is a global power company operating across 14 countries and 4 continents. Its current generation portfolio as of year-end 2021 consists of over 31 gigawatts of generation, with the generation mix composed of renewables (43%), gas (32%), coal (23%), and oil (2%). The company has 3.5 gigawatts of generation under construction. AES has majority ownership and operates six electric utilities distributing power to 2.6 million customers.
Read more on AES →In 1984, Danaher's founders transformed a real estate organization into an industrial-focused manufacturing company. Through a series of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, including the Fortive separation in 2016, Danaher now focuses primarily on manufacturing scientific instruments and consumables in three segments: life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental and applied solutions. In late 2019, Danaher separated from its dental business through an initial public offering process, and in early 2020, it acquired GE's Biopharma business, now called Cytiva, which added to its life sciences segment.
Read more on DHR →