Contrasting CLP (OTCMKTS:CLPHY) and WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC)
by Michael Walen · The Markets DailyCLP (OTCMKTS:CLPHY – Get Free Report) and WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC – Get Free Report) are both large-cap utilities companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and risk.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for CLP and WEC Energy Group, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| CLP | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2.00 |
| WEC Energy Group | 1 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 2.47 |
WEC Energy Group has a consensus price target of $121.94, indicating a potential upside of 5.46%. Given WEC Energy Group’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe WEC Energy Group is more favorable than CLP.
Profitability
This table compares CLP and WEC Energy Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| CLP | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| WEC Energy Group | 15.90% | 12.40% | 3.45% |
Volatility & Risk
CLP has a beta of 0.42, meaning that its stock price is 58% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, WEC Energy Group has a beta of 0.53, meaning that its stock price is 47% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Dividends
CLP pays an annual dividend of $0.63 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.6%. WEC Energy Group pays an annual dividend of $3.81 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. WEC Energy Group pays out 78.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. WEC Energy Group has increased its dividend for 23 consecutive years.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
77.2% of WEC Energy Group shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of WEC Energy Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares CLP and WEC Energy Group”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| CLP | $11.29 billion | 2.15 | $1.46 billion | N/A | N/A |
| WEC Energy Group | $9.80 billion | 3.84 | $1.56 billion | $4.83 | 23.94 |
WEC Energy Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than CLP.
Summary
WEC Energy Group beats CLP on 13 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.
About CLP
CLP Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Hong Kong, Mainland China, India Thailand, Taiwan, and Australia. The company generates electricity through coal, gas, nuclear, and renewable resources, such as wind, hydro, and solar. It is also involved in the provision of pumped storage services, and energy and infrastructure solutions; property investment activities; and retail of electricity and gas. CLP Holdings Limited was founded in 1901 and is based in Hung Hom, Hong Kong.
About WEC Energy Group
WEC Energy Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments. The company generates and distributes electricity from coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear, as well as renewable energy resources, including wind, solar, hydroelectric, and biomass; and distributes and transports natural gas. It also owns, maintains, monitors, and operates electric transmission systems; and generates, distributes, and sells steam. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated approximately 35,500 miles of overhead distribution lines and 36,500 miles of underground distribution cables, as well as 430 electric distribution substations and 523,700 line transformers; approximately 46,400 miles of natural gas distribution mains; 1,700 miles of natural gas transmission mains; 2.4 million natural gas lateral services; 490 natural gas distribution and transmission gate stations; and 69.3 billion cubic feet of working gas capacities in underground natural gas storage fields. The company was formerly known as Wisconsin Energy Corporation and changed its name to WEC Energy Group, Inc. in June 2015. WEC Energy Group, Inc. was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.