NextEra Energy (NEE) vs Duke Energy (DUK): Stock Comparison
Data as of November 7, 2026. Refreshed weekly from SEC filings and market data.
NextEra Energy is cheaper on earnings, at 15.8 times against 19.3; NextEra Energy keeps the higher net margin (40.4% against 15.8%); NextEra Energy grew revenue faster over the last year (9.6% against 6.3%); dividend yield is about the same (2.8% and 3.3%). NextEra Energy clears 5 of this site's 8 value filters and Duke Energy 5. Figures are as of November 7, 2026; each is on the page below with its source.
How do NextEra Energy and Duke Energy compare on the numbers?
| Measure | NextEra Energy (NEE) | Duke Energy (DUK) | Clearer lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share price | $86.95 | $127.78 | |
| Market value | $184 billion | $101 billion | |
| P/E ratio (trailing) | 15.8 | 19.3 | NEE |
| PEG ratio | 1.70 | 2.79 | NEE |
| Free-cash-flow yield | 2.5% | 0.5% | NEE |
| Net profit margin | 40.4% | 15.8% | NEE |
| Revenue growth, last year | 9.6% | 6.3% | NEE |
| Return on equity | 20.4% | 9.9% | NEE |
| Debt to equity | 1.85 | 1.67 | DUK |
| Dividend yield | 2.8% | 3.3% | About the same |
| Margin of safety (DCF) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Value filters passed (of 8) | 5 | 5 | About the same |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.2% | -4.3% |
How have NextEra Energy and Duke Energy shares done against each other?
NextEra Energy 103Duke Energy 126
Each share price set to 100 on Nov 2021, to Nov 2026. Price only: dividends are not included.
From Nov 2021 to Nov 2026, NextEra Energy shares are up 3% and Duke Energy shares up 26%, so Duke Energy has pulled ahead of NextEra Energy by 23 points of the starting price. The deepest fall from a prior high in that window was 44% for NextEra Energy and 24% for Duke Energy.
| Period | NextEra Energy (NEE) | Duke Energy (DUK) |
|---|---|---|
| Last 1 year | +6.0% | +3.0% |
| Last 3 years | +47.3% | +42.4% |
| Last 5 years | +1.7% | +25.7% |
Which has grown faster, NextEra Energy or Duke Energy?
Over 5 years, NextEra Energy grew revenue 8.8% a year and earnings per share 17.4% a year; Duke Energy grew revenue 6.6% and earnings per share 27.9%. Its net margin averaged 23.9% at NextEra Energy and 13.0% at Duke Energy.
| Measure | NextEra Energy (NEE) | Duke Energy (DUK) |
|---|---|---|
| Latest fiscal year ended | Dec 2025 | Dec 2025 |
| Revenue, first year to latest | $18 billion to $27.4 billion | $23.4 billion to $32.2 billion |
| Revenue growth per year | 8.8% | 6.6% |
| Earnings per share, first year to latest | $1.48 to $3.30 | $1.87 to $6.39 |
| Earnings per share growth per year | 17.4% | 27.9% |
| Net margin, latest year | 24.9% | 15.4% |
| Net margin, average of the years | 23.9% | 13.0% |
| Free cash flow margin, latest year | n/a | -5.3% |
From each company's 10-K filings (SEC EDGAR), over its latest 5 years.
What growth does each share price assume?
| Measure | NextEra Energy (NEE) | Duke Energy (DUK) |
|---|---|---|
| Free cash flow growth the price implies | n/a | n/a |
| Free cash flow per share | $2.21 | $0.59 |
| Margin of safety on this site's DCF | n/a | n/a |
A free-cash-flow DCF does not fit NextEra Energy (its free cash flow is negative or missing, or it is the kind of business the DCF leaves out), so no implied growth is shown.
A free-cash-flow DCF does not fit Duke Energy (its free cash flow is negative or missing, or it is the kind of business the DCF leaves out), so no implied growth is shown.
The same model and baseline as every stock page. A price that asks for less growth is not a better company, only a lower bar to clear.
Where is each stronger?
Where NextEra Energy leads
- Lower P/E: 15.8 against 19.3
- Lower PEG: 1.70 against 2.79
- Higher free-cash-flow yield: 2.5% against 0.5%
- Higher net margin: 40.4% against 15.8%
- Faster revenue growth last year: 9.6% against 6.3%
- Higher return on equity: 20.4% against 9.9%
- Faster revenue growth over its filed record: 8.8% against 6.6%
- A higher net margin in its latest filed year: 24.9% against 15.4%
- A higher average net margin: 23.9% against 13.0%
Where Duke Energy leads
- Less debt for its equity: 1.67 against 1.85
- Faster earnings-per-share growth over its filed record: 27.9% against 17.4%
About the same on: dividend yield, value filters passed (of 8). A lead needs a clear gap (10% apart on a ratio, 1 point on a percentage), so a rounding difference never names a winner. A lead on one measure is not a verdict on the company.
How do the businesses differ?
NextEra Energy. NextEra Energy owns Florida Power & Light, the largest electric utility in Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, one of the largest generators of wind and solar power in the world.
Duke Energy. Duke Energy is a regulated electric and natural-gas utility serving millions of customers in the Carolinas, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
Both are in the Utilities industry on this site.
What stands out about NextEra Energy
- Misses 1 of the 8 value filters. It fails PEG Ratio < 1.5 (1.70); the other 5 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- Strongest against peers: net margin. At 40.4% (peer median 14.3%) it ranks 1st of 31 among utilities stocks this site tracks.
- Weakest against peers: debt / equity. At 1.85 (peer median 1.73) it ranks 22nd of 31 among utilities stocks this site tracks.
What stands out about Duke Energy
- Misses 1 of the 8 value filters. It fails PEG Ratio < 1.5 (2.79); the other 5 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- Strongest against peers: P/E ratio. At 19.3× (peer median 21.3×) it ranks 8th of 31 among utilities stocks this site tracks.
- Dividend raises 1 of 6 flags. Its trailing yield is 3.34%.
Frequently asked questions about NextEra Energy and Duke Energy
Which is cheaper, NextEra Energy or Duke Energy?
On trailing earnings, NextEra Energy is cheaper: NextEra Energy trades at 15.8 times and Duke Energy at 19.3 times. On free cash flow, the yields are 2.5% and 0.5%. Cheaper is not the same as better value: read the growth each price assumes below.
Which pays the higher dividend, NextEra Energy or Duke Energy?
Their yields are about the same: NextEra Energy 2.8% and Duke Energy 3.3% over the last year.
Which has grown faster, NextEra Energy or Duke Energy?
Over their latest filed five years, NextEra Energy grew revenue 8.8% a year and Duke Energy 6.6%; earnings per share grew 17.4% and 27.9% a year.
Which has more debt, NextEra Energy or Duke Energy?
NextEra Energy has more debt for its equity: debt to equity is 1.85 for NextEra Energy and 1.67 for Duke Energy. A very high figure can also come from buybacks that shrank equity.
Which is more profitable, NextEra Energy or Duke Energy?
NextEra Energy keeps more of each sales dollar as profit: 40.4% for NextEra Energy and 15.8% for Duke Energy, with a return on equity of 20.4% and 9.9%.
Which passes more of the 8 value filters?
Both clear 5 of the 8. The filters are this site's own value rules, shown with each stock's page.
Where do these numbers come from?
Prices, ratios and yield are from this site's weekly data as of November 7, 2026; growth and margins by year are from each company's 10-K filings (sources on NextEra Energy and Duke Energy). The DCF is the same model on every stock page. See Editorial Standards. Educational, not investment advice.