Aspen Aerogels Inc vs NRG Energy Inc — how do they compare? Aspen Aerogels Inc trades at $6.16 (market cap $509.55M), while NRG Energy Inc trades at $120.63 (market cap $24.83B). The key difference: NRG Energy Inc is far larger — about 48.7× Aspen Aerogels Inc's market cap, and NRG Energy Inc pays a 1.61% dividend while Aspen Aerogels Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ASPN | NRG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $509.55M | $24.83B |
Sector | Technology | Utilities |
52-Week High | $8.82 | $184.03 |
52-Week Low | $2.57 | $117.04 |
Enterprise Value | $482.96M | $48.79B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aspen Aerogels (ASPN) trades at $6.13, down 2.54% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages despite mixed oscillators. The company shows improving revenue trends with Q2 2026 results beating expectations and strong Q3 guidance of $65-80 million revenue. However, profitability remains challenged with negative net income margins of -62.45% and consecutive quarterly EPS misses. Analyst sentiment is overwhelmingly positive with 82.61% buy ratings.
The outlook balances strong revenue growth potential in thermal barrier markets against persistent profitability challenges. Investment opportunity lies in the expanding EV thermal barrier business and European market growth, while risks include sustained negative cash flow and competitive pressures in evolving battery technologies.
NRG Energy trades at $120.97, up 1.73% today, with a bearish technical signal despite oversold RSI levels near support at $119. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $1.49, missing estimates of $1.69, but revenue grew 11% year-over-year, driven by cost controls and a strategic 1.2 GW Texas data-center power project. Fundamentals show a P/E of 30.76 and ROE of 26.77%, though net margin is thin at 2.56%.
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is bullish with a $207.83 price target (69% buy ratings), citing growth from data-center demand, but risks include rising interest costs, high leverage (debt-to-assets at 56.42% in 2025), and earnings misses. The stock offers a 1.6% dividend yield, but investors face volatility from execution risks in expansion plans.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Aspen Aerogels is an aerogel technology company that designs high-performance insulation. Its products are used in energy infrastructure and electric vehicles to provide thermal management and fire protection.
Read more on ASPN →NRG Energy is one of the largest retail energy providers in the U.S., with 7 million customers, including its 2021 acquisition of Direct Energy. It also is one of the largest U.S. independent power producers, with 16 gigawatts of nuclear, coal, gas, and oil power generation capacity primarily in Texas. Since 2018, NRG has divested its 47% stake in NRG Yield, among other renewable energy and conventional generation investments. NRG exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a stand-alone entity in December 2003.
Read more on NRG →