XEL vs. CMS
XEL (Xcel Energy Inc.) and CMS (CMS Energy Corporation) are both stocks. Both operate in the Utilities - Regulated Electric industry within the Utilities sector. Over the past 10 years, XEL returned 9.29%/yr vs 8.08%/yr for CMS. Their 0.55 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
XEL vs. CMS - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XEL achieves a 7.46% return, which is significantly higher than CMS's 5.02% return. Over the past 10 years, XEL has outperformed CMS with an annualized return of 9.29%, while CMS has yielded a comparatively lower 8.08% annualized return.
XEL
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- -4.59%
- 6M
- 4.35%
- YTD
- 7.46%
- 1Y
- 9.72%
- 3Y*
- 11.28%
- 5Y*
- 6.09%
- 10Y*
- 9.29%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.52%
CMS
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -7.38%
- 6M
- 2.72%
- YTD
- 5.02%
- 1Y
- 0.61%
- 3Y*
- 9.60%
- 5Y*
- 6.57%
- 10Y*
- 8.08%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.88%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $288.83M | $253.73M | $245.75M | |
| $387.09M | $394.63M | $451.51M |
XEL vs. CMS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | 7.46% | 13.89% | 12.32% | -8.67% | 6.44% | 4.40% | 7.77% | 32.37% | 5.88% | 21.91% |
CMS CMS Energy Corporation | 5.02% | 8.13% | 18.60% | -5.21% | 0.84% | 9.71% | -0.32% | 30.04% | 8.25% | 17.03% |
Correlation
The correlation between XEL and CMS is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.72 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.79 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.82 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 1985 | 0.55 |
Over the past year, XEL and CMS have become more correlated (0.78) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Fundamentals
XEL:
$48.82B
CMS:
$22.57B
XEL:
$2.77
CMS:
$3.41
XEL:
28.23
CMS:
21.09
XEL:
3.25
CMS:
2.45
XEL:
2.04
CMS:
2.27
XEL:
$14.62B
CMS:
$8.81B
XEL:
$321.00M
CMS:
$6.14B
XEL:
$6.39B
CMS:
$3.12B
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
XEL vs. CMS — Risk / Return Rank
XEL
CMS
XEL vs. CMS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) and CMS Energy Corporation (CMS). 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.
| XEL | CMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 1.02 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.85 | 0.09 | +0.77 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.12 | 0.21 | +1.91 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
XEL vs. CMS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XEL drawdown since its inception was -80.64%, smaller than the maximum CMS drawdown of -91.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XEL and CMS.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| XEL | CMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.64% | -91.20% | +10.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.50% | -11.48% | -0.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.99% | -12.64% | -11.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.41% | -27.56% | -6.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.41% | -29.55% | -4.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.41% | -8.82% | +3.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.29% | -27.27% | +15.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.62% | 4.83% | -0.21% |
Volatility
XEL vs. CMS - Volatility Comparison
Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) and CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) have volatilities of 5.77% and 5.76%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| XEL | CMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.77% | 5.76% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.09% | 13.62% | +1.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.41% | 16.94% | +2.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.88% | 19.03% | +1.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.75% | 20.77% | +0.98% |
Dividends
XEL vs. CMS - Dividend Comparison
XEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.97%, less than CMS's 3.60% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CMS CMS Energy Corporation | 3.60% | 3.10% | 3.09% | 3.36% | 3.62% | 2.67% | 2.67% | 2.43% | 2.88% | 2.81% | 2.98% | 3.22% |
XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | 2.97% | 3.83% | 2.43% | 3.36% | 2.78% | 2.70% | 2.58% | 2.55% | 3.09% | 2.99% | 3.34% | 3.56% |
Financials
XEL vs. CMS - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Xcel Energy Inc. and CMS Energy Corporation. 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
XEL vs. CMS - Profitability Comparison
XEL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported a gross profit of -915.00M and revenue of 3.12B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was -29.3%.
CMS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, CMS Energy Corporation reported a gross profit of 1.15B and revenue of 1.83B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 63.1%.
XEL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported an operating income of 706.00M and revenue of 3.12B, resulting in an operating margin of 22.6%.
CMS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, CMS Energy Corporation reported an operating income of 264.00M and revenue of 1.83B, resulting in an operating margin of 14.4%.
XEL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported a net income of 37.00M and revenue of 3.12B, resulting in a net margin of 1.2%.
CMS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, CMS Energy Corporation reported a net income of 120.00M and revenue of 1.83B, resulting in a net margin of 6.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions
XEL and CMS have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XEL has higher volatility (5.77%) compared to CMS (5.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XEL dropped -80.64% vs CMS's -91.20%.
XEL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.51 vs 0.06), 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.
Find the right allocation for XEL and CMS
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer