AES Corp vs NextEra Energy, Inc. — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.7 (market cap $10.51B), while NextEra Energy, Inc. trades at $85.68 (market cap $176.68B). The key difference: NextEra Energy, Inc. is far larger — about 16.8× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays the higher dividend (4.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | NEE | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $176.68B |
Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $97.88 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $69.77 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | $284.01B |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | 2.94% |
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.
NextEra Energy (NEE) trades at $84.65, showing minimal daily movement with a 0.06% gain. The stock is in a bearish technical phase, with support at $84 and resistance at $86. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 and Q2 2026, while Q4 2025 missed. The company benefits from strong AI-driven power demand, highlighted by a $100 billion data center project in Kentucky announced on July 29, 2026 (Reuters).
NEE offers solid fundamentals with a 32.4% net income margin and 17.23% ROE, but faces risks from high debt levels and capital expenditures. Analysts are bullish with a $101.17 consensus price target, implying 19% upside. Key opportunities include AI infrastructure growth, while risks involve execution on large projects and interest rate sensitivity.
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 →NextEra Energy's regulated utility, Florida Power & Light, distributes power to more than 5 million customers in Florida. FP&L contributes more than 60% of the group's operating earnings. The renewable energy segment generates and sells power throughout the United States and Canada. Consolidated generation capacity totals more than 50 gigawatts and includes natural gas, nuclear, wind, and solar assets.
Read more on NEE →