AES Corp vs e l f Beauty Inc — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.66 (market cap $10.51B), while e l f Beauty Inc trades at $94.8 (market cap $5.62B). The key difference: AES Corp is the larger of the two by market cap, and AES Corp pays a 4.78% dividend while e l f Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | ELF | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $5.62B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $146.67 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $49.57 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | $6.20B |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | — |
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.
ELF trades at $98.49, up 6.69% in 24 hours, near its 52-week high. The stock exhibits a bullish technical trend with strong support at $93 and resistance at $101. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations with EPS of $1.75 versus $0.71 expected, driven by 36% revenue growth and the Rhode acquisition. The company raised fiscal 2027 guidance, reflecting robust demand and international expansion.
Outlook remains positive due to consistent sales growth and strategic initiatives, but risks include high valuation (P/E 97.18) and reliance on acquisitions for growth. The stock offers growth potential but faces margin pressure from increased investments and competitive dynamics in the beauty sector.
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 →e.l.f. Beauty is a leading cosmetics company offering high-quality, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free products. It is known for its affordable and prestige-quality makeup and skincare items for a diverse global audience.
Read more on ELF →