Williams Companies Inc vs Xcel Energy Inc — how do they compare? Williams Companies Inc trades at $73.66 (market cap $88.45B), while Xcel Energy Inc trades at $78.34 (market cap $48.51B). The key difference: Williams Companies Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Xcel Energy Inc pays the higher dividend (3.05%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| WMB | XEL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $88.45B | $48.51B |
Sector | Energy | Utilities |
52-Week High | $79.40 | $83.91 |
52-Week Low | $56.51 | $71.75 |
Enterprise Value | $119.07B | $86.82B |
Dividend Yield | 2.9% | 3.05% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
WMB trades at $73.72, up 2.6% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings but raised full-year EBITDA guidance to $8.4 billion following its $5.5 billion acquisition of Momentum Midstream, enhancing its Gulf Coast footprint. Fundamentals show robust profitability with a 25.18% net income margin and 24.02% ROE, though valuation multiples like a P/E of 28.81 appear elevated.
The outlook is positive, driven by growth initiatives and stable cash flows, but risks include execution of the large acquisition and sensitivity to energy demand. With a consensus price target of $87.14 implying 18% upside, the stock offers growth potential tempered by integration challenges and debt levels.
XEL trades at $78.09, up 1.59% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q2 2026 with EPS of $0.93, driven by infrastructure investments. The company maintains solid fundamentals, including a 15.28% net income margin and a $0.59 quarterly dividend, while analyst consensus is bullish with a $93.80 price target.
Outlook is positive due to strong earnings growth and a $60 billion capital plan supporting future expansion, but risks include regulatory pushback and high debt levels. The stock offers stability with a 2.87% dividend yield, though technical resistance near $79 may limit near-term gains.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →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 →