AES Corp vs KeyCorp — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.7 (market cap $10.51B), while KeyCorp trades at $22.7 (market cap $24.31B). The key difference: KeyCorp is far larger — about 2.3× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays the higher dividend (4.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | KEY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $24.31B |
Sector | Utilities | Financials |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $23.99 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $16.78 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | — |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | 3.62% |
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.
KeyCorp (KEY) trades at $22.73, up 0.31% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $29.41. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates with EPS of $0.44, driven by net interest income growth and fee expansion. The acquisition of Clearwater UK bolsters its investment banking presence, while a 3.6% dividend yield adds income appeal.
Outlook is positive with earnings momentum and strategic acquisitions supporting growth, but risks include interest rate sensitivity and competitive pressures. Wall Street sentiment is bullish with 61% buy ratings, though net cash flow volatility and modest ROE of 2.72% warrant caution for value-focused investors.
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 →With assets of over $170 billion, Ohio-based KeyCorp's bank footprint spans 16 states, but it is predominantly concentrated in its two largest markets: Ohio and New York. KeyCorp is primarily focused on serving middle-market commercial clients through a hybrid community/corporate bank model.
Read more on KEY →