NRG Energy Inc vs Williams Companies Inc — how do they compare? NRG Energy Inc trades at $116.5 (market cap $25.15B), while Williams Companies Inc trades at $75.15 (market cap $92.75B). The key difference: Williams Companies Inc is far larger — about 3.7× NRG Energy Inc's market cap, and Williams Companies Inc pays the higher dividend (2.77%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NRG | WMB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $25.15B | $92.75B |
Sector | Utilities | Energy |
52-Week High | $184.03 | $79.40 |
52-Week Low | $109.51 | $56.51 |
Enterprise Value | $49.10B | $123.38B |
Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 2.77% |
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.
Williams Companies (WMB) trades at $75.83, up 2.27% with strong analyst support (79% buy ratings) and a $88.14 consensus target. The stock shows bullish technical momentum above key support at $74, supported by recent acquisitions and stable dividend payments. Fundamentals reveal robust profitability with 63.26% gross margins and 25.18% net income margin, though valuation multiples remain elevated with P/E at 30.21.
WMB offers exposure to growing natural gas infrastructure demand with recent $5.5 billion Momentum Midstream acquisition expanding Gulf Coast presence. Risks include regulatory challenges as seen with NJ pipeline permit reversal and elevated debt levels at 52% debt-to-asset ratio. The stock presents growth potential through LNG export expansion but faces execution risks on major projects.
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 →Williams is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.
Read more on WMB →