FirstEnergy Corp. vs Advanced Drainage Systems Inc — how do they compare? FirstEnergy Corp. trades at $48.58 (market cap $28.13B), while Advanced Drainage Systems Inc trades at $151.92 (market cap $11.59B). The key difference: FirstEnergy Corp. is far larger — about 2.4× Advanced Drainage Systems Inc's market cap, and FirstEnergy Corp. pays the higher dividend (3.82%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| FE | WMS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $28.13B | $11.59B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $51.91 | $175.38 |
52-Week Low | $40.30 | $110.89 |
Enterprise Value | $56.14B | $13.16B |
Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 0.53% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) trades at $49.17, down 0.1% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. Recent earnings show mixed quarterly beats, while revenue growth is steady at $15.09 billion for 2025. The company benefits from rising data center demand and a $36 billion investment plan, highlighted by recent news of grid upgrades and leadership appointments to drive operational performance.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $52.00, offering ~6% upside. Key opportunities include infrastructure investments and data center growth, but risks involve high debt levels and regulatory pressures. Institutional sentiment is bullish with no sell ratings, though net cash flow remains negative, requiring careful monitoring of capital expenditures.
WMS trades at $152.70, up 1.1% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong profitability metrics including a 13.98% net income margin and 24.02% ROE. The company recently beat Q1 2026 EPS estimates and announced a dividend, while cash flow from operations remains healthy at $581.49M for 2025. Revenue has been stable around $2.9B, though net income dipped to $450.17M in 2025 from prior years.
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus targets $184.43 (21% upside) with 41% buy ratings, but a Zacks Strong Sell rating and projected 2026 earnings decline pose risks. Investment appeal lies in valuation support and operational strength, countered by earnings volatility and competitive pressures in water management solutions.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
FirstEnergy is one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the United States with 10 regulated distribution companies across six mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states. FirstEnergy also owns and operates one of the nation's largest electric transmission systems with 24,000 miles of lines.
Read more on FE →Advanced Drainage Systems Inc is engaged in designing, manufacturing, and marketing thermoplastic corrugated pipe and related water management products in North and South America, and Europe. The company's operating segment includes Pipe
Read more on WMS →