AES Corp vs LyondellBasell Industries NV — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.66 (market cap $10.51B), while LyondellBasell Industries NV trades at $63.98 (market cap $20.24B). The key difference: LyondellBasell Industries NV is the larger of the two by market cap, and LyondellBasell Industries NV pays the higher dividend (6.58%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | LYB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $20.24B |
Sector | Utilities | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $82.38 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $42.28 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | $31.83B |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | 6.58% |
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.
LyondellBasell Industries (LYB) trades at $59.595, down 2.97% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The company reported a strong Q2 2026 earnings beat ($4.30 EPS vs. $3.44 expected) but faces declining revenue and negative net income margins. Recent news highlights supply disruptions supporting margins, while analyst consensus is a Buy with a $70.56 price target, implying 18% upside.
Outlook is mixed: earnings momentum and undervaluation (P/S 0.62) offer opportunity, but weak profitability and high debt pose risks. The stock's direction hinges on margin sustainability and broader economic conditions affecting chemical demand.
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 →LyondellBasell Industries NV is a petrochemical producer with operations in the U.S. and Europe. It operates in six segments: Olefins and Polyolefins-Americas (O&P-Americas), Olefins and Polyolefins-Europe, Asia, International (O&P-EAI), Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D), Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS), Refining and Technology. The company is a major producer of polyethylene, the world's largest producer of polypropylene, and the second- largest producer of propylene oxide. Its chemicals are used in various consumer and industrial end products. Substantially, all of the company's revenue is derived from product sales.
Read more on LYB →