AES Corp vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.74 (market cap $10.49B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $246.3 (market cap $29.51B). The key difference: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is far larger — about 2.8× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays the higher dividend (4.79%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.49B | $29.51B |
Sector | Utilities | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $251.81 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $168.64 |
Enterprise Value | $40.75B | $30.35B |
Dividend Yield | 4.79% | 1.21% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AES trades at $14.73, unchanged on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a pending acquisition by Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT at $15 per share. The company reported revenue of $12.23B in 2025, with a net income margin of 7.43%, and has beaten earnings estimates in two of the last three quarters. Valuation ratios appear attractive with a P/E of 5.51 and P/S of 0.81, while cash flow from operations improved to $4.31B in 2025.
The outlook is dominated by the acquisition, offering a capped upside to $15. Strong profitability metrics like a 45.05% ROE and a 4.8% dividend yield provide support, but risks include shareholder litigation and regulatory scrutiny over the deal. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 42.86% buy ratings, reflecting uncertainty until transaction closure.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $250.82, down 0.39% on the day, with strong profitability metrics including a 13.81% net income margin and 54.01% ROE. The stock shows a bullish technical trend, supported by moving averages, but RSI levels indicate overbought conditions. Recent earnings beats and a solid dividend history highlight operational strength, though valuation ratios like P/E of 28.09 suggest premium pricing. News coverage remains active, focusing on earnings potential and competitive positioning in the home furnishings sector.
WSM presents a mixed outlook: robust fundamentals and consistent earnings beats support upside, but high valuation and technical overbought signals pose near-term risks. Investor sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with a Moderate Buy analyst consensus and a $231.10 price target slightly below current levels. Key risks include consumer discretionary volatility and competitive pressures, while institutional interest and dividend payments offer stability.
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 a wide retail and direct-to-consumer presence, Williams-Sonoma is a leader in the $300 billion domestic home category, focused on expanding its exposure in the B2B, marketplace, and franchise areas. Namesake Williams-Sonoma (175 stores) offers high-end cooking essentials, while Pottery Barn (189) provides casual home accessories. Brand extensions include Pottery Barn Kids (52) and PBteen. West Elm (121) is an emerging concept for young professionals, and Rejuvenation (9) offers lighting and house parts. Williams-Sonoma also has a business-to-business team that supports projects that range from residential to large-scale commercial.
Read more on WSM →