Annaly Capital Management, Inc. vs Xcel Energy Inc — how do they compare? Annaly Capital Management, Inc. trades at $23.11 (market cap $17.44B), while Xcel Energy Inc trades at $77.47 (market cap $48.51B). The key difference: Xcel Energy Inc is far larger — about 2.8× Annaly Capital Management, Inc.'s market cap, and Annaly Capital Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (12.96%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NLY | XEL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $17.44B | $48.51B |
Sector | Financials | Utilities |
52-Week High | $24.40 | $83.91 |
52-Week Low | $20.21 | $71.75 |
Dividend Yield | 12.96% | 3.05% |
Enterprise Value | — | $86.82B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
NLY trades at $23.23, up 1.4% with strong technical momentum as moving averages signal bullish sentiment. The stock demonstrates robust fundamentals with a low P/E of 5.59 and impressive 92.77% net income margin, supported by three consecutive quarterly earnings beats. Recent analyst upgrades and institutional buying reflect growing confidence in the mortgage REIT's housing finance strategy and dividend sustainability.
Outlook remains positive with consensus price target of $24.50 offering 5.5% upside potential. Key opportunities include the 13%+ dividend yield and diversified housing finance platform, while risks center on interest rate volatility and the company's high leverage ratio of 23.55. Earnings growth momentum and institutional support provide catalysts for continued appreciation.
Xcel Energy (XEL) trades at $78.33, up 1.9% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $0.93 per share, beating estimates, driven by infrastructure investment recovery. Revenue for 2025 was $14.67 billion with a net income margin of 15.28%. Analysts maintain a consensus buy rating with a $93.80 price target, highlighting growth from a $60 billion capital plan through 2030.
The outlook for XEL is positive due to projected EPS growth and rising electricity demand, but risks include regulatory pushback on rate increases and high capital expenditure. The stock offers stability with a dividend yield, yet valuation remains near historical highs, requiring careful monitoring of execution against its expansive investment strategy.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Annaly Capital Management Inc is an American mortgage real estate investment trust. The company segments its operations into Residential and Commercial real estate investments. While Annaly's Residential assets are primarily comprised of agency mortgage-backed securities and debentures, it is primarily invested in commercial mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities in its Commercial unit through its subsidiary, Annaly Commercial Real Estate Group. Agency mortgage-backed securities and debentures make up the majority of the company's overall portfolio. Most of the company's counterparties are located in the U.S. Annaly generates nearly all of its revenue from the spread between interest earned on its assets and interest payments made on its borrowings.
Read more on NLY →Xcel Energy manages utilities serving 3.7 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers in eight states. Its utilities are Northern States Power, which serves customers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
Read more on XEL →