Stocks analysis

AEE vs AES Stock Comparison

Scores Breakdown

Metric AEE AES
📈 Growth 8/30 12/30
💰 Profitability 16/20 10/20
🏦 Financial Health 12/20 12/20
💵 Valuation 12/20 8/20
⚠️ Risk (lower is better) 6/10 4/10
Overall Score 52/100 48/100

Side-by-Side Summaries

AEE Analysis AES Analysis

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Over 8 quarters, Revenue moved from about $2.17B (2024Q4) to a high of about $2.70B (2025Q3) and ended around $2.09B in 2026Q2. Net income (to parent) rose from about $207M (2024Q4) to roughly $314M (2026Q2), indicating improving profitability despite revenue swings. The trend shows volatility but a constructive late-cycle improvement with strong operating performance in several quarters.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Operating margins have hovered in the low-to-mid 20s percent on average, with standout quarters in 2025Q1–Q2 (~32–34%) and weaker margins in 2024Q3–Q4 (~9–10%). Net cash from operating activities remained positive in all periods, including a peak near $0.96B (2025Q4); investing cash flow was consistently negative, reflecting capital intensity. Financing activity varied, contributing to liquidity in several quarters.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Total Liabilities run in the mid-to-high $30s billions with equity around $12–14B, implying leverage near 2.5–3x. Long-term Debt remained substantial (roughly $18–20B across periods). Current assets ($2.0–$2.7B) vs. current liabilities ($3.0–$5.0B) indicate tight near-term liquidity, but the regulated earnings base provides resilience and steady cash generation.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Regulated utility framework and capital investment cycle; stable, commodity-insensitive cash flow.
  • Risks: High leverage/interest-rate sensitivity; regulatory/regulatory cost pressures and weather-related demand variability.

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Over the observed 7 quarters, AES's revenues hovered near $3.0B, ending around $2.42B in 2026 Q2, while net income remained positive overall, indicating resilience despite quarterly volatility. The trend shows modest growth from early 2025 into late 2025, with some weakness in 2026 Q2 driven by lower topline and mix. Overall, earnings resilience persisted through the period.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Gross margin ranged roughly in the high 20s and low 30s percentage; operating margin varied around the mid-teens in stronger quarters and contracted when costs rose. Net cash from operating activities was typically solid (around $1.0B per quarter), but investing cash flow was consistently negative, leading to fluctuating free cash flow and reliance on financing for liquidity.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Total assets near $50B+, liabilities around $40B, and equity near $9–9.8B. Current ratio hovered below 1 in some quarters, reflecting funded working capital needs. Redeemable interests and temporary equity add complexity; overall balance sheet appears leveraged but with steady cash generation.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Regulated utility earnings, renewable integration, stable demand
  • Risks: Commodity/energy price sensitivity, regulatory/policy shifts, interest-rate exposure