AES Corp vs 22nd Century Group Inc — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.73 (market cap $10.49B), while 22nd Century Group Inc trades at $4.33 (market cap $1.52M). The key difference: AES Corp is far larger — about 6901.3× 22nd Century Group Inc's market cap, and AES Corp pays a 4.79% dividend while 22nd Century Group Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | XXII | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.49B | $1.52M |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $801.00 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $3.72 |
Enterprise Value | $40.75B | -$6.71M |
Dividend Yield | 4.79% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AES trades at $14.73, down slightly by 0.03%, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company shows strong profitability with a 14.34% net income margin and 45.05% ROE, supported by recent earnings beats. A pending $33.4 billion acquisition by a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT, approved by stockholders in June 2026, dominates recent news, alongside a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share.
The outlook is heavily influenced by the acquisition, offering a near-term upside to the $15 buyout price, but regulatory and shareholder approval risks remain. Long-term fundamentals are solid with projected revenue growth to $13.1 billion in 2026, though high debt levels and integration challenges post-acquisition pose risks. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a buy consensus of 43%.
XXII trades at $4.38, up 0.69% with neutral technical signals. The company shows concerning fundamentals with negative profit margins (-65.76% net income margin) and ROE of -130.19%, though valuation ratios appear low (P/S 0.03, P/B 0.07). Recent corporate actions include a 20:1 reverse stock split in June 2026. Analyst sentiment remains positive with 75% buy ratings, while the company expands VLN® product distribution in key markets like California and New York.
The outlook remains speculative given persistent losses despite revenue generation. Investment opportunity lies in successful execution of reduced-nicotine cigarette expansion and FDA regulatory progress. Key risks include continued cash burn, competitive pressures, and dependency on regulatory approvals for growth catalysts.
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 →22nd Century Group is a plant biotechnology company that uses genetic engineering and gene editing to control the levels of nicotine in tobacco plants. Its flagship product line, VLN®, is the first and only combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP), containing 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes to help adult smokers smoke less.
Read more on XXII →