CleanSpark Inc vs NRG Energy Inc — how do they compare? CleanSpark Inc trades at $12.18 (market cap $2.96B), while NRG Energy Inc trades at $121.17 (market cap $24.83B). The key difference: NRG Energy Inc is far larger — about 8.4× CleanSpark Inc's market cap, and NRG Energy Inc pays a 1.61% dividend while CleanSpark Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CLSK | NRG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.96B | $24.83B |
Sector | Technology | Utilities |
52-Week High | $23.20 | $184.03 |
52-Week Low | $8.18 | $117.04 |
Enterprise Value | $3.95B | $48.79B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CleanSpark trades at $12.18, up 5.09% today but facing bearish technical signals with 17 sell indicators versus 5 buy signals. The company reported four consecutive quarterly earnings misses, with Q2 2026 showing a loss of $0.89 per share versus expectations of -$0.47. Despite negative profitability metrics including a -146.9% net income margin, analysts maintain unanimous buy ratings with a $24.13 consensus price target, representing 98% upside potential. Recent news highlights a strategic pivot to AI data centers through a $6.6 billion, 20-year lease agreement.
The stock presents a high-risk, high-reward opportunity with strong analyst conviction contrasting weak fundamentals. The AI data center expansion offers significant long-term revenue potential but requires substantial capital investment amid current cash flow challenges. Key risks include execution of the strategic pivot, continued earnings volatility, and the need for additional financing to support growth initiatives.
NRG Energy trades at $120.37, down 1.23% with a bearish technical signal. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed estimates at $1.49 EPS versus $1.69 expected, though revenue grew 11% year-over-year. The company is advancing a 1.2 GW Texas data-center power project to capitalize on AI-driven electricity demand, supported by a 69% analyst buy rating and a $207.83 consensus price target. Cash flow from operations was $1.91B in 2025, but net income margin compressed to 2.56%.
Outlook is mixed: growth initiatives in data center power present upside, but execution risks and rising interest costs pressure margins. The stock offers a 1.6% dividend yield, yet high debt-to-asset ratio of 56.42% in 2025 warrants caution. Near-term support lies at $119, with resistance at $122.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
CleanSpark is a leading Bitcoin mining company that operates high-density data centers. It focuses on using sustainable energy to power its mining fleet and provides digital infrastructure for the blockchain ecosystem.
Read more on CLSK →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 →