Diversified Utilities · NYSE
Current Price
$14.77
PE Ratio (TTM)
5.6x
Intrinsic Value
$25.89
+42.9% margin of safety
COMPETITIVE MOAT
↑Regulated Asset Base
AES operates in regulated utility markets, allowing for predictable returns on invested capital. This regulatory framework provides a stable revenue stream and limits direct competition.
↑Scale and Diversification
The company's extensive portfolio of generation and distribution assets across various geographies and fuel types offers operational efficiencies. This diversification mitigates risks associated with any single market or technology.
↑Long-Term Contracts
AES secures revenue through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with creditworthy off-takers. These contracts provide revenue visibility and reduce exposure to volatile energy prices.
INVESTMENT RISKS
↓Acquisition Integration and Debt
The pending acquisition by Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT-led consortium introduces integration risks and potential increases in leverage. Successful integration is crucial for realizing synergies and managing debt.
↓Commodity Price Volatility
While PPAs mitigate some risk, AES's operations are still exposed to fluctuations in fuel costs for its non-renewable generation assets. Significant price swings can impact profitability.
↓Interest Rate Sensitivity
As a capital-intensive business, AES is sensitive to changes in interest rates, which affect the cost of financing its operations and investments. Rising rates can increase debt servicing expenses.
Base case
At a current price of $14.77, the base case PE valuation puts AES fair value near $25.89 per share. That figure assumes 7.7% yearly earnings growth, a target PE multiple of 5.51x, and a 10% discount rate.
Intrinsic Value
$25.89
Margin of safety
+42.9%
Expected annual return
+11.9%
Base case assumptions: 7.7% annual earnings growth, 5.51x target PE, 10% discount rate, 5 year projection. Data as of 2026-08-21.
This base case uses default assumptions and is not financial advice. The fair value changes significantly when the target PE or earnings growth rate changes. Open the calculator to set your own assumptions and see the full sensitivity range.
Adjust the target PE, earnings growth, and discount rate to see how the fair value and margin of safety for The AES Corporation respond.
Open PE Calculator for AESThe AES Corporation operates as an international enterprise primarily focused on electricity generation and distribution. Its activities involve both the ownership and management of power plants, producing and supplying electricity to a diverse clientele that includes other utility companies, large industrial consumers, and various intermediate purchasers. Beyond generation, AES also functions as a utility provider, managing infrastructure to either produce or acquire, then transmit, distribute, and ultimately sell power directly to end-users across residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental sectors. The company is also an active participant in the wholesale electricity market. For power production, AES utilizes a broad spectrum of energy sources and advanced technologies. This includes conventional fuels like coal and natural gas, as well as a significant commitment to renewables such as hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass. Its renewable portfolio further incorporates energy storage solutions and landfill gas. With an operational generation capacity of approximately 31,459 megawatts, the company maintains a substantial global presence, conducting business in the United States, Puerto Rico, various nations across Central and South America (including El Salvador, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico), the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Founded in 1981, the company was initially named Applied Energy Services, Inc., before officially rebranding to The AES Corporation in April 2000. Its corporate headquarters are located in Arlington, Virginia.
PE Ratio (TTM)
5.6x
PEG Ratio
0.07
Earnings Yield
18.12%
ROE (TTM)
37.9%
Revenue/Share (TTM)
$18.31
Dividend Yield
4.77%
Debt/Equity
6.50x
The trailing twelve-month PE ratio of AES reflects how much investors pay per dollar of The AES Corporation's earnings. This metric is most useful when compared to Diversified Utilities peers and the company's own historical range.
AES's PE of 5.6x combined with a PEG ratio of 0.07 provides a growth-adjusted perspective. A PEG below 1.0 means the P/E is low relative to the earnings growth rate. Keep in mind that PE-based valuation works best for profitable, mature companies — for high-growth or cyclical Diversified Utilities, a DCF analysis may be more appropriate.
To value The AES Corporation using PE: (1) Compare the current PE (5.6x) against the Diversified Utilities median to assess relative pricing, (2) check the PEG ratio (0.07) to adjust for growth expectations, (3) review the 5-year PE range to identify where the stock sits historically, and (4) estimate fair value by multiplying a target PE by forward EPS estimates. This relative approach complements DCF's absolute valuation.
AES's PEG ratio is 0.07, calculated by dividing the PE ratio (5.6x) by the expected earnings growth rate. A PEG below 1.0 means the P/E is low relative to the expected earnings growth rate. Note that PEG accuracy depends on the reliability of growth estimates.
PE ratio gives a quick relative read — how AES is priced versus Diversified Utilities peers. DCF provides an absolute value based on projected free cash flows. For AES, with a strong ROE of 37.9%, both methods are worth using — PE for a market-relative check, DCF to stress-test whether fundamentals justify the price. Each method has blind spots: PE ignores capital structure and cash flow quality, while DCF is sensitive to growth and discount rate assumptions.
P/E and DCF value AES with different methods and assumptions, so the two conclusions can differ. Compare the DCF intrinsic value.
Price as of 2026-08-21. Financial data from Financial Modeling Prep (trailing twelve months) · Valuation methodology by Charlie Wang.
This is an estimate, not investment advice.