Johnson Controls International PLC vs NRG Energy Inc — how do they compare? Johnson Controls International PLC trades at $155.05 (market cap $93.74B), while NRG Energy Inc trades at $121.17 (market cap $24.83B). The key difference: Johnson Controls International PLC is far larger — about 3.8× NRG Energy Inc's market cap, and NRG Energy Inc pays the higher dividend (1.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| JCI | NRG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $93.74B | $24.83B |
Sector | Industrials | Utilities |
52-Week High | $154.76 | $184.03 |
52-Week Low | $103.52 | $117.04 |
Enterprise Value | $102.58B | $48.79B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 1.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
JCI trades at $153.59, up 1.92% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook and strong institutional support. Recent Q3 2026 earnings beat expectations with $1.42 EPS versus $1.30 expected, driven by double-digit organic growth in data-center thermal systems. The company raised FY26 guidance, reflecting robust demand and operational momentum. Valuation ratios remain elevated, with a P/E of 43.59 and P/S of 3.82, indicating premium pricing relative to historical norms.
The outlook is positive, supported by earnings momentum and AI-driven demand for cooling solutions, but risks include high valuation sensitivity and debt levels. Analyst consensus price target is $168.25, suggesting ~9.5% upside, with no sell ratings among 45 analysts. Investors should monitor execution on guidance and macroeconomic impacts on construction and HVAC markets.
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
Johnson Controls manufactures, installs, and services HVAC systems, building management systems and controls, industrial refrigeration systems, and fire and security solutions. Commercial HVAC accounts for about 40% of sales, fire and security also represents 40% of sales, and residential HVAC, industrial refrigeration, and other solutions account for the remaining 20% of revenue. In fiscal 2021, Johnson Controls generated over $23.5 billion in revenue.
Read more on JCI →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 →