AES Corp vs Williams Companies Inc — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.72 (market cap $10.51B), while Williams Companies Inc trades at $72.66 (market cap $87.88B). The key difference: Williams Companies Inc is far larger — about 8.4× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays the higher dividend (4.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | WMB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $87.88B |
Sector | Utilities | Energy |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $79.40 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $56.51 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | $118.51B |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | 2.92% |
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.
WMB trades at $70.4, down 1.9% on the day, amid a bearish technical signal. The company reported mixed Q2 2026 earnings, missing EPS estimates but raising full-year EBITDA guidance to $8.4 billion. Strong profitability is evident with a 25.18% net income margin and 24.02% ROE, though valuation ratios like P/E of 28.05 appear elevated. The recent $5.5 billion acquisition of Momentum Midstream aims to bolster growth in the Haynesville region.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus strongly bullish (79% buy ratings) and a $87.14 price target, implying significant upside. Risks include execution of the Momentum integration, volatile energy prices, and high debt levels. Cash flow stability from fee-based contracts supports the dividend, but net cash flow turned negative in 2026 forecasts.
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 →Williams is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.
Read more on WMB →