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CNP vs DUK
Which Stock Would AI Choose? CenterPoint Energy (CNP) vs. Duke Energy (DUK) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CenterPoint Energy (CNP) has delivered stronger year-to-date returns of about 12% compared to Duke Energy's (DUK) 10%.
- DUK provides a higher dividend yield at 3.33%, surpassing CNP's 2.15%.
- CNP trades at a higher price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.7 versus DUK's 20.2, reflecting a growth premium.
- Both stocks are buoyed by rising electricity demand from data centers and infrastructure investments in recent market activity.
- DUK's larger $99.5 billion market cap offers enhanced stability over CNP's $28 billion.
- Upcoming quarterly earnings for CNP may influence short-term sentiment amid positive analyst outlooks for both.
Introduction
CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and Duke Energy (DUK) are prominent players in the U.S. utility sector, offering electric transmission, distribution, and natural gas services. This comparison is particularly relevant for income-focused investors seeking dividend reliability and defensive positioning, as well as traders eyeing relative performance amid rising energy demand from data centers and economic expansion. With both stocks exhibiting resilience in recent market volatility, understanding their business models, momentum, and risk profiles aids in evaluating market positioning and potential trade-offs in the current environment.
CNP Overview and Recent Performance
CenterPoint Energy (CNP) operates as a regulated utility, delivering electricity and natural gas primarily in Texas, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Louisiana. The company focuses on infrastructure modernization and grid reliability to meet growing demand. In recent weeks, CNP shares have shown year-to-date gains around 12%, outperforming broader utility benchmarks, though momentum eased slightly amid warmer weather impacts and elevated costs. Positive sentiment stems from robust Q4 2025 earnings with 9% EPS growth, strategic capital increases, and anticipated Q1 2026 results reflecting infrastructure benefits. Analysts highlight steady EPS outlook and consistent dividends as key drivers.
DUK Overview and Recent Performance
Duke Energy (DUK) is one of the largest U.S. utilities, serving millions across the Carolinas, Florida, Midwest, and Southwest with electric and natural gas operations. It emphasizes clean energy transitions, renewables, and massive capital plans exceeding $100 billion. Recent market activity has seen DUK post year-to-date returns of about 10%, supported by earnings beats, raised price targets, and demand from data centers fueling its largest-ever capex program. Sentiment has improved on regulatory rate recovery bids and renewable expansions, though winter cost spikes prompted rate hike requests.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CNP and DUK operate in the multi-utilities subsector, with regulated models ensuring stable cash flows from electric and gas distribution. However, DUK's broader geographic footprint and $99 billion market cap dwarf CNP's $28 billion scale, providing greater diversification and liquidity. Growth drivers include shared catalysts like data center demand and infrastructure spending, but CNP exhibits stronger recent momentum with 18% one-year returns versus DUK's 9%. Risk factors are similar—regulatory approvals, interest rate sensitivity (low betas around 0.5), and weather variability—though DUK's higher dividend payout appeals more to income seekers. Market sentiment favors both amid sector tailwinds, with analyst targets implying 7-9% upside.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI models currently lean toward CNP in the short term, driven by its superior recent trend consistency, higher YTD momentum, and upcoming earnings catalyst positioning it favorably relative to DUK. While DUK excels in stability and yield, CNP's growth profile suggests probabilistic outperformance in the prevailing utility rally.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CNP is a Buy and DUK is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CNP’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileDUK’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CNP’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- DUK’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CNP’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while DUK’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CNP’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 1 bearish.
- DUK’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
CNP (@Electric Utilities) experienced а +0.12% price change this week, while DUK (@Electric Utilities) price change was -1.40% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electric Utilities industry was +0.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.16%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.60%.
Reported Earning Dates
CNP is expected to report earnings on Aug 04, 2026.
DUK is expected to report earnings on Aug 11, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electric Utilities (+0.02% weekly)Electric utilities companies generate, transmit and distribute electricity to businesses/offices and residences. Companies may be owned by the government or investors or public shareholders, or a combination thereof. The industry also includes firms that buy and sell electricity. Companies in this industry typically require significant investments in infrastructure. Many firms in this industry pay substantial and regular dividends to shareholders. However, changes in interest rates (and their impact on debt burdens), natural disasters and changing commodity prices could be factors affecting energy utilities’ profit margins. NextEra Energy, Inc., Duke Energy Corporation, Dominion Energy Inc. and Southern Company are among U.S. electric utilities companies with the largest market capitalizations.
| CNP | DUK | CNP / DUK | |
| Capitalization | 28.5B | 97.5B | 29% |
| EBITDA | 3.81B | 17.6B | 22% |
| Gain YTD | 13.707 | 7.199 | 190% |
| P/E Ratio | 26.45 | 19.00 | 139% |
| Revenue | 9.41B | 33.2B | 28% |
| Total Cash | 1.19B | 2.14B | 56% |
| Total Debt | 24.7B | 91.2B | 27% |
CNP | DUK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 31 | 21 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 79 Overvalued | 43 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 11 | 29 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 74 | 72 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 33 | 53 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 44 | 54 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
DUK's Valuation (43) in the Electric Utilities industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CNP (79). This means that DUK’s stock grew somewhat faster than CNP’s over the last 12 months.
CNP's Profit vs Risk Rating (11) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as DUK (29). This means that CNP’s stock grew similarly to DUK’s over the last 12 months.
DUK's SMR Rating (72) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as CNP (74). This means that DUK’s stock grew similarly to CNP’s over the last 12 months.
CNP's Price Growth Rating (33) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as DUK (53). This means that CNP’s stock grew similarly to DUK’s over the last 12 months.
CNP's P/E Growth Rating (44) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as DUK (54). This means that CNP’s stock grew similarly to DUK’s over the last 12 months.
| CNP | DUK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 6 days ago 71% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 31% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 40% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 61% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 40% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 38% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 8 days ago 51% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | N/A | 23 days ago 41% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 59% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 26% |
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CNP and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CNP has been closely correlated with AEE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 81% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CNP jumps, then AEE could also see price increases.
DUK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DUK has been closely correlated with SO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 83% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if DUK jumps, then SO could also see price increases.