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 9.48%/yr vs 8.46%/yr for CMS. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
XEL vs. CMS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XEL achieves a 8.30% return, which is significantly higher than CMS's 7.15% return. Over the past 10 years, XEL has outperformed CMS with an annualized return of 9.48%, while CMS has yielded a comparatively lower 8.46% annualized return.
XEL
- 1D
- 1.81%
- 1M
- -2.07%
- YTD
- 8.30%
- 6M
- 9.15%
- 1Y
- 21.91%
- 3Y*
- 12.01%
- 5Y*
- 6.89%
- 10Y*
- 9.48%
CMS
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- -0.98%
- YTD
- 7.15%
- 6M
- 7.40%
- 1Y
- 10.14%
- 3Y*
- 11.48%
- 5Y*
- 8.16%
- 10Y*
- 8.46%
XEL vs. CMS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | 8.30% | 13.89% | 12.32% | -8.67% | 6.44% | 4.40% | 7.77% | 32.37% | 5.88% | 21.91% |
CMS CMS Energy Corporation | 7.15% | 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 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.77 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 1985 | 0.54 |
Over the past year, XEL and CMS have become more correlated (0.77) than their long-term average of 0.54, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Fundamentals
XEL:
$3.50
CMS:
$4.92
XEL:
22.49
CMS:
15.00
XEL:
3.18
CMS:
1.88
XEL:
$14.78B
CMS:
$8.82B
XEL:
$1.88B
CMS:
$4.16B
XEL:
$6.26B
CMS:
$3.09B
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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 | +0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.83 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.12 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.91 | 0.89 | +1.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.89 | 2.25 | +2.64 |
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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.
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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 | -24.42% | -19.61% | -4.81% |
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 | -4.67% | -6.96% | +2.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.31% | -27.33% | +16.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.49% | 4.51% | -0.02% |
Volatility
XEL vs. CMS - Volatility Comparison
Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) and CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) have volatilities of 6.64% and 6.46%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| XEL | CMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.64% | 6.46% | +0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.34% | 12.45% | +1.89% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.14% | 16.22% | +2.92% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.80% | 18.93% | +1.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.72% | 20.72% | +1.00% |
Dividends
XEL vs. CMS - Dividend Comparison
XEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%, less than CMS's 3.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CMS CMS Energy Corporation | 3.01% | 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. | 2.95% | 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 Jun 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 4.02B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
CMS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CMS Energy Corporation reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 2.73B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
XEL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported an operating income of 754.00M and revenue of 4.02B, resulting in an operating margin of 18.8%.
CMS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CMS Energy Corporation reported an operating income of 490.00M and revenue of 2.73B, resulting in an operating margin of 18.0%.
XEL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported a net income of 556.00M and revenue of 4.02B, resulting in a net margin of 13.8%.
CMS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CMS Energy Corporation reported a net income of 340.00M and revenue of 2.73B, resulting in a net margin of 12.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions
XEL and CMS have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XEL has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to CMS (6.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XEL dropped -80.64% vs CMS's -91.20%.
XEL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 0.63), 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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