Chemicals - Specialty
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CNEY vs GPRE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Chemicals - Specialty
CNEY vs GPRE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $4M | $1.15B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $87M | $1.94B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-25M | $-15M |
| Gross Margin | -8.6% | 1.8% |
| Operating Margin | -26.1% | 1.2% |
| Forward P/E | — | 46.6x |
| Total Debt | $3M | $508M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $391K | $182M |
CNEY vs GPRE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Feb 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN Energy Group. In… (CNEY) | 100 | 0.4 | -99.6% |
| Green Plains Inc. (GPRE) | 100 | 65.0 | -35.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CNEY vs GPRE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CNEY is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.57
- Rev growth -30.2%, EPS growth 79.2%, 3Y rev CAGR -4.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.57, Low D/E 3.4%, current ratio 13.90x
GPRE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding.
- 21.3% 10Y total return vs CNEY's -99.6%
- -14.9% revenue growth vs CNEY's -30.2%
- -0.8% margin vs CNEY's -29.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -14.9% revenue growth vs CNEY's -30.2% | |
| Quality / Margins | -0.8% margin vs CNEY's -29.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.57 vs GPRE's 1.22, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +336.6% vs CNEY's -85.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -1.0% ROA vs CNEY's -23.5%, ROIC -5.2% vs -8.2% |
CNEY vs GPRE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CNEY vs GPRE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GPRE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GPRE is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.9B annually — 22.4x CNEY's $87M. GPRE is the more profitable business, keeping -0.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CNEY's -29.1%. On growth, CNEY holds the edge at -2.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $87M | $1.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$19M | $122M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$25M | -$15M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$4M | $90M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -8.6% | +1.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -26.1% | +1.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -29.1% | -0.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -4.7% | +4.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.4% | -25.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +94.2% | +134.2% |
Valuation Metrics
CNEY leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4M | $1.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7M | $1.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.03x | -9.14x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 46.62x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 103.82x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.11x | 0.55x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.00x | 1.44x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 17.84x |
Profitability & Efficiency
GPRE leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GPRE delivers a -2.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-2 in annual profit, vs $-25 for CNEY. CNEY carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GPRE's 0.66x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GPRE scores 4/9 vs CNEY's 3/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -24.9% | -2.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -23.5% | -1.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -8.2% | -5.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -11.0% | -6.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.03x | 0.66x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3M | $326M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $390,706 | $182M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3M | $508M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -29.77x | -0.08x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
GPRE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in GPRE five years ago would be worth $5,149 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $54 for CNEY. Over the past 12 months, GPRE leads with a +336.6% total return vs CNEY's -85.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GPRE at -19.0% vs CNEY's -51.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +11.9% | +60.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -85.4% | +336.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -88.4% | -46.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.5% | -48.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.6% | +21.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -51.2% | -19.0% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CNEY and GPRE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CNEY is the less volatile stock with a 0.57 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than GPRE's 1.22 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GPRE currently trades 86.9% from its 52-week high vs CNEY's 9.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.57x | 1.22x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $7.36 | $18.94 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.31 | $3.39 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +9.6% | +86.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.5 | 54.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 643K | 1.5M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $13.80 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.6% |
GPRE leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). CNEY leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
CNEY vs GPRE: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CNEY or GPRE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Green Plains Inc.
(GPRE) is the stronger pick with -14. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -30. 2% for CN Energy Group. Inc. (CNEY). Analysts rate Green Plains Inc. (GPRE) a "Buy" — based on 20 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — CNEY or GPRE?
Over the past 5 years, Green Plains Inc.
(GPRE) delivered a total return of -48. 5%, compared to -99. 5% for CN Energy Group. Inc. (CNEY). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GPRE returned +21. 3% versus CNEY's -99. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — CNEY or GPRE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CN Energy Group.
Inc. (CNEY) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 57β versus Green Plains Inc. 's 1. 22β — meaning GPRE is approximately 112% more volatile than CNEY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CN Energy Group. Inc. (CNEY) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 66% for Green Plains Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — CNEY or GPRE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Green Plains Inc.
(GPRE) is pulling ahead at -14. 9% versus -30. 2% for CN Energy Group. Inc. (CNEY). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CN Energy Group. Inc. grew EPS 79. 2% year-over-year, compared to -39. 5% for Green Plains Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CNEY leads at -4. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — CNEY or GPRE?
Green Plains Inc.
(GPRE) is the more profitable company, earning -5. 8% net margin versus -31. 3% for CN Energy Group. Inc. — meaning it keeps -5. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GPRE leads at -4. 0% versus -30. 9% for CNEY. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GPRE leads at 1. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — CNEY or GPRE?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
07Is CNEY or GPRE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CN Energy Group.
Inc. (CNEY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 57)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CNEY: -99. 6%, GPRE: +21. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between CNEY and GPRE?
Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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