Stocks analysis

AEE vs AFL Stock Comparison

Scores Breakdown

Metric AEE AFL
📈 Growth 0/30 6/30
💰 Profitability 12/20 10/20
🏦 Financial Health 14/20 18/20
💵 Valuation 12/20 14/20
⚠️ Risk (lower is better) 7/10 6/10
Overall Score 41/100 52/100

Side-by-Side Summaries

AEE Analysis AFL Analysis

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Over eight quarters, Ameren's revenue progressed from $2.173B in 2024 Q2 to $2.176B in 2026 Q1, essentially flat. A standout spike occurred in 2025 Q3 at $2.699B, followed by a dip to $1.782B in 2025 Q4, then a return toward $2.2B. Net income moved unevenly, starting at $457M (Q2 2024) and ending at $358M (Q1 2026), with a peak of $640M in 2025 Q3.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Operating margins fluctuated, averaging around 24.6%, peaking at 39.3% (2025 Q1) and dipping to 10.2% (2024 Q4). Cash flow: net cash from operating activities was generally positive; investing activities were typically negative, and financing activity provided offsetting support in several quarters. The quarterly cadence yields solid operating cash flow in aggregate, aligning with a capital-intensive utility model.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Total assets run near $49.8B with liabilities around $36.2B and equity of about $13.6B. Long-term debt sits near $19.4B, indicating a moderate debt load for a regulated utility. The balance sheet remains constructive, supported by recurring operating cash flows.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Regulated utility framework and stable dividend policy; cash-flow visibility from rate cases.
  • Risks: Regulatory changes and weather-driven demand variability; interest-rate and valuation sensitivity.

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

The eight quarterly results show a mixed growth path. Start: revenues of $5.138B in 2024 Q2 and end: $4.346B in 2026 Q1, a decline of about 15%. Net income moved from $1.755B in 2024 Q2 to $1.019B in 2026 Q1, down roughly 42%. Notable quarter-to-quarter swings include a robust Q4 2024 and steady early-2025 quarters, but the overall trend is inconsistent, with revenue occasionally bouncing on seasonal/one-offs while earnings remain volatile. Operating income remained strong in several periods (around $3.0–$3.4B on mid-single to low-double-digit revenue), suggesting earnings power when volume picks up, but not a clear, sustained growth trajectory.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Margins vary meaningfully by quarter; reported operating income margins range widely, reflecting unusual items and mix. Net cash from operating activities was solid in several quarters (e.g., $589M in 2025 Q1 and $968M in 2026 Q1) but softer in others (e.g., $315M in 2025 Q4). Investing and financing activities can create negative free cash flow in some periods, yielding an uneven cash flow signal despite positive operating cash in many quarters.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Assets typically sit around $116–$122B, with Liabilities in the $86–$93B range and Equity near $26–$30B, indicating reasonable leverage and strong liquidity. The structure supports resilience across varying earnings seasons, though reported items occasionally show anomalies in current liabilities.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Interest-rate environment; demand for life/health insurance and annuities.
  • Risks: Earnings volatility from taxes and one-offs; potential margin compression and inconsistent free cash flow.