AES Corp vs FTAI Aviation Ltd — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.72 (market cap $10.51B), while FTAI Aviation Ltd trades at $225.49 (market cap $22.08B). The key difference: FTAI Aviation Ltd is far larger — about 2.1× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays the higher dividend (4.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | FTAI | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $22.08B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $310.04 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $140.40 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | $25.20B |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | 0.93% |
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.
FTAI Aviation trades at $216.24, down 2.26% for the day, with a bearish technical signal and recent earnings misses. The company reported strong revenue growth to $2.51B in 2025 but faces margin compression, with net income margin declining to 15.94% in 2026. Recent news highlights strategic collaborations and a major power systems order, while analyst consensus remains unanimously bullish with a $341.67 price target.
The outlook is mixed: robust analyst support and growth initiatives in power and MRO segments offer upside, but high valuations (P/E 46.94), earnings misses, and negative operating cash flows pose risks. Investors should weigh long-term growth potential against near-term execution challenges and market volatility.
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 →FTAI Aviation owns and maintains a fleet of commercial aircraft and engines. It focuses on the specialized maintenance of the CFM56 engine, helping airlines reduce costs through efficient asset management.
Read more on FTAI →