Sempra vs Xcel Energy
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KIRAβs take AI analyst
I put Sempra and Xcel Energy side by side, using each oneβs latest annual report. Here is what stands out:
- Xcel Energy is the larger business, with $14.7B of revenue in fiscal 2025 against $13.7B for Sempra.
- Xcel Energy grew revenue faster (9.1%, against 3.9%).
- Sempra turned more of its sales into free cash flow (β44.1% FCF margin, against β46.5%).
- Xcel Energy earned a higher return on the capital invested in it (4.9%, against 2.8%).
- Investors pay more for each dollar of Sempraβs earnings: a P/E of 28.6x against 21.3x for Xcel Energy.
Who comes out ahead
Of the 9 measures where higher (or lower) is clearly better, how many each company leads.
Sempra
SRE
4/9
FCF marginPiotroski F-scoreNet debt / EBITDAShare count change
Xcel Energy
XEL
5/9
Revenue growth5-year growthNet marginReturn on capitalReturn on equity
Side by side
Best in the row
| Latest fiscal year | SRE FY25 | XEL FY25 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ||
| Market cap | $55.2B | $48.8B |
| Revenue | $13.7B | $14.7B |
| Free cash flow | β$6.0B | β$6.8B |
| Net income | $1.8B | $2.0B |
| Growth | ||
| Revenue growth | 3.9% | 9.1% |
| 5-year growth | 3.8% | 4.9% |
| Share count change | 2.5% | 4.6% |
| Profitability | ||
| Gross margin | β | β |
| Operating margin | β | 17.6% |
| Net margin | 13.4% | 13.8% |
| FCF margin | β44.1% | β46.5% |
| Return on capital | 2.8% | 4.9% |
| Return on equity | 5.9% | 9.4% |
| Balance sheet | ||
| Net debt | $35.0B | $34.4B |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 6.0x | 6.2x |
| Dividends and buybacks | $1.7B | $1.3B |
| Valuation & quality | ||
| P/E | 28.6x | 21.3x |
| Piotroski F-score | 5 | 4 |
Ten years
Revenue
Operating margin
Free cash flow
Return on capital
Each company's latest fiscal year; fiscal years end in different months. The best value in each row is highlighted where higher (or lower) is clearly better. Not investment advice.