Open Access

Marcel Blum

• The energy sector represents a critical infrastructure in major parts of the world and is indispensable for a modern-day lifestyle. However, it also contributes a large share of toxic greenhouse gases to the environment. Due to pressing climate change, which causes severe impacts for living beings on our planet, the energy sector undergoes profound change. Motivated to assess the financial attractiveness of the different global and European energy segments, such as fossil energies, renewable energies and nuclear energies, a performance analysis is conducted. For that reason, energy indices are investigated with traditional performance analysis tools such as risk-return assessments, risk-adjusted measurements, and correlational studies. Furthermore, the top five heaviest-weighted companies per energy index are examined through correlational studies. Their performance is assessed based on different key performance indicators, such as gross profit margin, gross EBITDA margin, return on assets, and return on equity. The analysis suggests ambiguous results, where there is no energy segment that stands out clearly. This study aims to provide a general overview of the attractiveness of the financial performance of global and European energy segments.