NRG Energy Inc vs Rockwell Automation — how do they compare? NRG Energy Inc trades at $116.91 (market cap $25.15B), while Rockwell Automation trades at $426.07 (market cap $47.65B). The key difference: Rockwell Automation is the larger of the two by market cap, and NRG Energy Inc pays the higher dividend (1.59%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NRG | ROK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $25.15B | $47.65B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $184.03 | $495.08 |
52-Week Low | $109.51 | $333.75 |
Enterprise Value | $49.10B | $50.79B |
Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 1.29% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
NRG Energy trades at $119.64, up 0.52% with a bullish technical signal despite recent earnings misses. The stock shows strong profitability metrics including 26.77% ROE and 2.56% net margin, supported by $30.71B revenue in 2025. Recent developments include a transformative 1.2 GW Texas data-center power project and LS Power acquisition, driving long-term growth expectations. Cash flow trends show volatility with 2025 net cash flow of $3.83B followed by projected 2026 outflow of -$264M.
Wall Street maintains strong bullish sentiment with 69% buy ratings and $201.29 consensus target, representing 68% upside. Key risks include rising interest costs impacting earnings, elevated debt levels at 56.42% debt-to-asset ratio, and execution challenges with major capital projects. The data center expansion strategy offers significant growth potential but requires careful monitoring of capex and leverage management.
Rockwell Automation (ROK) trades at $429.13, down 1.08% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and near-term support at $427. The company has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue for 2025 was $8.34B, with a net income margin of 13.38%, though profitability has moderated from 2023 peaks. Recent news highlights expansion in AI-driven quality systems and remote support capabilities.
The stock offers a 19.8% upside to the consensus price target of $514, supported by analyst optimism on margin expansion and reshoring trends. However, high valuation multiples (P/E 40.18) and mixed technical indicators suggest near-term volatility. Key risks include execution on growth initiatives and macroeconomic pressures on industrial spending.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Rockwell Automation is a pure-play automation competitor that is the successor entity to Rockwell International, which spun off its former Rockwell Collins avionics segment in 2001. As of fiscal 2021, the firm operates through three segments--intelligent devices, software and control, and lifecycle services. Intelligent devices contains its drives, sensors, and industrial components, software and control contains its information and network and security software, while lifecycle services contains its consulting and maintenance services as well as its Sensia JV with Schlumberger.
Read more on ROK →