Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
AEP vs DUK
American Electric Power Company, Inc. versus Duke Energy Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
DUK wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but AEP can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | AEP | DUK | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.90% | 3.36% | DUK wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.8/10 | 7.3/10 | AEP wins |
| Growth trend | -0.62% vs 5y | -0.47% vs 5y | Tie |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.55 | 0.37 | DUK wins |
| Scale | $71.2B | $101.8B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 2 wins | DUK wins |
Dimension by dimension
DUK wins on yield (3.36% vs 2.90%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $46 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
DUK's higher yield (3.36%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus AEP's 2.90% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
AEP wins on safety (8.8/10 vs 7.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. AEP scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
AEP (8.8/10) scores 1.5 points higher than DUK (7.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
Yield trends are similar
Both tickers' current yields sit close to their 5-year averages, suggesting comparable dividend-vs-price trajectories.
DUK is less volatile (beta 0.37 vs 0.55)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
Comparable scale ($71.2B vs $101.8B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better for income, AEP or DUK?
DUK wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but AEP can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
AEP vs DUK: which has a higher dividend yield?
AEP yields 2.90% and DUK yields 3.36%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $46 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is AEP or DUK a safer dividend in 2026?
AEP scores 8.8/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. DUK scores 7.3/10 (Solid). AEP is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, AEP or DUK?
Both tickers' current yields sit close to their 5-year averages, suggesting comparable dividend-vs-price trajectories.
AEP vs DUK: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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