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CMS Energy Corporation(CMS)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$68.7
10/16/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CMS

10/16/2026: CMS (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

CMS Energy Corporation is a regulated utility serving the majority of Michigan's population. The stock is a classic defensive play, appealing to dividend-focused investors due to its consistent payouts and stable, monopoly-like business model. The primary investment story centers on the company’s ongoing transition to renewable energy sources, which provides a long-term roadmap for capital investment and growth. Key risks include significant exposure to Michigan-specific economic and weather patterns, as well as the necessity for regular regulatory approval for rate increases. Investors should monitor Michigan regulatory rate-case outcomes and the company's progress on its Clean Energy Plan as primary indicators of performance.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorWeak fitUtilities typically offer modest, predictable growth rather than the high-alpha growth sought by this style.
Momentum investorWeak fitUtility stocks rarely exhibit the high-volatility, high-uptrend momentum patterns required.
Value investorMixed fitThe stock often trades at a premium valuation due to its defensive nature, limiting 'bargain' opportunities.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe company provides a reliable, growing dividend stream characteristic of stable regulated utilities.
Low-risk investorStrong fitIts regulated business model provides lower beta and earnings stability compared to the broader market.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowUtilities are generally defensive stocks with lower sensitivity to short-term market swings.
Valuation riskMediumHigh interest rates can compress valuation multiples for utilities.
Competition risk (Regulatory)MediumAs a monopoly, the primary 'competition' is regulatory pressure on rate hikes.
Business qualityStrongThe regulated, essential nature of the service provides high revenue certainty.
Dividend incomeStrongLong history of stable payouts makes it a staple for income-focused portfolios.
Execution riskMediumManaging large-scale infrastructure projects successfully is critical to maintaining profit margins.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Very Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Very Smooth

The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 0.44%
Avg. Invested days 44
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/16/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CMS receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CMS has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, moderate earnings growth (+6.8%) and solid revenue growth (+13.6%) are partially offset by weak cash generation (FCF margin -18.6%), very low insider ownership of 0.55%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CMS's financial health is supported by solid profitability, including gross margin of 60.9% and operating margin of 20.2%. Liquidity is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is CMS's strongest growth driver at +13.6% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, while free-cash-flow growth (-145.2%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 103.9% and approximately 99.3% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.55%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 10.55%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.43%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 6.08%
State Street Corp 5.65%
JPMorgan Chase & Co 5.23%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CMS generates approximately $609 of gross profit, $202 of operating income, and $-186 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Negative free cash flow explains the 2-star rating, with weak cash conversion and soft capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 19.71%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CMS has a large-cap, liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 20.99B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 20.1
1Y Target Price 75.83
Price to earnings Ratio 20.1
1Y Target Price 75.83
Volume (30-day avg) 4.0M shares
Beta 0.31
52 Weeks Range 62.29 - 79.10
Updated Date 10/16/2026
52 Weeks Range 62.29 - 79.10
Updated Date 10/16/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 3.33%
Basic EPS (TTM) 3.33

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Electric DistributionDelivering electricity to residential and business customers in Michigan.The bread and butter of the company, providing stable, recurring monthly bills.
Natural Gas DistributionTransporting and selling gas throughout the service territory.Provides secondary income, though susceptible to seasonal weather patterns.
Geography: MichiganOperations limited almost entirely to the Lower Peninsula.Investors must monitor Michigan's state-level economic health and political environment.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 20.1
Forward PE 15.24
Enterprise Value 39.09B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.38
Enterprise Value 39.09B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.38
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.44
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 11.84
Shares Outstanding 313.58M
Shares Floating 311.47M
Shares Outstanding 313.58M
Shares Floating 311.47M
Percent Insiders 0.55
Percent Institutions 103.85

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.