NRG Energy Inc vs Rockwell Automation — how do they compare? NRG Energy Inc trades at $121.89 (market cap $24.83B), while Rockwell Automation trades at $450.57 (market cap $49.64B). The key difference: Rockwell Automation is the larger of the two by market cap, and NRG Energy Inc pays the higher dividend (1.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NRG | ROK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $24.83B | $49.64B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $184.03 | $495.08 |
52-Week Low | $117.04 | $333.75 |
Enterprise Value | $48.79B | $52.77B |
Dividend Yield | 1.61% | 1.23% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
NRG Energy trades at $120.97, up 1.73% today, with a bearish technical signal despite oversold RSI levels near support at $119. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $1.49, missing estimates of $1.69, but revenue grew 11% year-over-year, driven by cost controls and a strategic 1.2 GW Texas data-center power project. Fundamentals show a P/E of 30.76 and ROE of 26.77%, though net margin is thin at 2.56%.
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is bullish with a $207.83 price target (69% buy ratings), citing growth from data-center demand, but risks include rising interest costs, high leverage (debt-to-assets at 56.42% in 2025), and earnings misses. The stock offers a 1.6% dividend yield, but investors face volatility from execution risks in expansion plans.
Rockwell Automation (ROK) trades at $450.36, up 3.48% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong recent earnings beats. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $3.49, exceeding expectations, and raised full-year guidance amid robust demand in automation markets. Valuation ratios are elevated with a P/E of 41.85, but profitability remains solid with a net income margin of 13.38%.
Outlook is positive due to consistent earnings outperformance and AI-driven growth initiatives, though high valuation and inflationary cost pressures present risks. The consensus price target of $507.00 implies potential upside, supported by a majority analyst hold rating reflecting cautious optimism.
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 →