CNP vs. NRG
CNP (CenterPoint Energy, Inc.) and NRG (NRG Energy, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Utilities sector — CNP in Utilities - Regulated Gas, NRG in Utilities - Independent Power Producers. Over the past 10 years, CNP returned 9.40%/yr vs 28.16%/yr for NRG. Their 0.39 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
CNP vs. NRG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CNP achieves a 10.86% return, which is significantly higher than NRG's -15.15% return. Over the past 10 years, CNP has underperformed NRG with an annualized return of 9.40%, while NRG has yielded a comparatively higher 28.16% annualized return.
CNP
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- -5.76%
- 6M
- 7.09%
- YTD
- 10.86%
- 1Y
- 10.76%
- 3Y*
- 15.48%
- 5Y*
- 13.38%
- 10Y*
- 9.40%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.99%
NRG
- 1D
- 0.24%
- 1M
- -1.76%
- 6M
- -11.47%
- YTD
- -15.15%
- 1Y
- -19.19%
- 3Y*
- 55.21%
- 5Y*
- 29.91%
- 10Y*
- 28.16%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.87%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $272.22M | $285.72M | $265.49M | |
| $334.61M | $308.87M | $365.54M |
CNP vs. NRG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CNP CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | 10.86% | 23.74% | 14.28% | -2.12% | 10.00% | 32.41% | -17.98% | 0.61% | 3.70% | 19.58% |
NRG NRG Energy, Inc. | -15.15% | 78.91% | 78.58% | 69.36% | -23.47% | 18.54% | -2.14% | 0.69% | 39.59% | 133.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between CNP and NRG is 0.16, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.30 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2003 | 0.39 |
Over the past year, the correlation between CNP and NRG has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.39, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
CNP:
$27.69B
NRG:
$28.33B
CNP:
$1.69
NRG:
$1.21
CNP:
24.81
NRG:
111.14
CNP:
2.88
NRG:
0.82
CNP:
2.39
NRG:
6.61
CNP:
$9.62B
NRG:
$32.38B
CNP:
$5.20B
NRG:
$4.69B
CNP:
$3.99B
NRG:
$2.57B
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Return for Risk
CNP vs. NRG — Risk / Return Rank
CNP
NRG
CNP vs. NRG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) and NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| CNP | NRG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 0.97 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.62 | -0.55 | +2.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.65 | -1.15 | +4.79 |
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Drawdowns
CNP vs. NRG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CNP drawdown since its inception was -89.94%, which is greater than NRG's maximum drawdown of -79.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CNP and NRG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CNP | NRG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -89.94% | -79.41% | -10.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.67% | -34.24% | +27.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.14% | -34.24% | +16.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.81% | -34.24% | +11.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -59.80% | -48.76% | -11.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.66% | -26.80% | +20.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.26% | -27.98% | -4.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.95% | 16.41% | -13.46% |
Volatility
CNP vs. NRG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) is 6.54%, while NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) has a volatility of 15.10%. This indicates that CNP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NRG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CNP | NRG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.54% | 15.10% | -8.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.38% | 35.36% | -21.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.60% | 46.61% | -30.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.76% | 40.41% | -20.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.92% | 39.21% | -13.29% |
Dividends
CNP vs. NRG - Dividend Comparison
CNP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, more than NRG's 1.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CNP CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | 2.14% | 2.30% | 2.55% | 2.70% | 2.33% | 2.33% | 3.42% | 4.22% | 3.93% | 3.77% | 4.18% | 5.39% |
NRG NRG Energy, Inc. | 1.04% | 1.11% | 1.81% | 2.92% | 4.40% | 3.02% | 3.20% | 0.30% | 0.30% | 0.42% | 1.92% | 4.93% |
Financials
CNP vs. NRG - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and NRG Energy, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
CNP vs. NRG - Profitability Comparison
CNP - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.87B and revenue of 2.15B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 86.9%.
NRG - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, NRG Energy, Inc. reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 10.26B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
CNP - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. reported an operating income of 534.00M and revenue of 2.15B, resulting in an operating margin of 24.8%.
NRG - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, NRG Energy, Inc. reported an operating income of 328.00M and revenue of 10.26B, resulting in an operating margin of 3.2%.
CNP - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. reported a net income of 244.00M and revenue of 2.15B, resulting in a net margin of 11.3%.
NRG - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, NRG Energy, Inc. reported a net income of 125.00M and revenue of 10.26B, resulting in a net margin of 1.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CNP and NRG have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NRG has higher volatility (15.10%) compared to CNP (6.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CNP dropped -89.94% vs NRG's -79.41%.
CNP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.65 vs -0.40), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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