Oil & Gas Midstream
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KNTK vs HESM vs DKL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Midstream
Oil & Gas Midstream
KNTK vs HESM vs DKL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream |
| Market Cap | $3.32B | $7.96B | $2.72B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.76B | $1.62B | $1.06B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $252M | $353M | $170M |
| Gross Margin | 31.6% | 75.0% | 19.2% |
| Operating Margin | 9.3% | 62.2% | 16.5% |
| Forward P/E | 42.2x | 13.2x | 13.9x |
| Total Debt | $3.87B | $3.77B | $35M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $4M | $2M | $11M |
KNTK vs HESM vs DKL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinetik Holdings In… (KNTK) | 100 | 698.8 | +598.8% |
| Hess Midstream LP (HESM) | 100 | 196.8 | +96.8% |
| Delek Logistics Par… (DKL) | 100 | 215.2 | +115.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KNTK vs HESM vs DKL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
KNTK is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 19.0%, EPS growth 157.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 13.3%
- 19.0% revenue growth vs DKL's 7.7%
- 16.5% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs HESM's 7.4%
HESM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 7 yrs, beta 0.27, yield 7.4%
- 119.7% 10Y total return vs DKL's 201.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.27, current ratio 0.85x
DKL is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 0.35, yield 8.7%, current ratio 1.12x
- +46.2% vs HESM's +10.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 19.0% revenue growth vs DKL's 7.7% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (13.2x vs 13.9x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 21.8% margin vs KNTK's 14.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.27 vs KNTK's 0.60 | |
| Dividends | 16.5% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs HESM's 7.4% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +46.2% vs HESM's +10.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.1% ROA vs KNTK's 3.5%, ROIC 18.6% vs 1.9% |
KNTK vs HESM vs DKL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
KNTK vs HESM vs DKL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 3 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HESM leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KNTK is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.8B annually — 1.7x DKL's $1.1B. HESM is the more profitable business, keeping 21.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to KNTK's 14.3%. On growth, DKL holds the edge at +19.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.8B | $1.6B | $1.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $548M | $1.2B | $310M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $252M | $353M | $170M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $351M | $585M | $112M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +31.6% | +75.0% | +19.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +9.3% | +62.2% | +16.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +14.3% | +21.8% | +16.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +19.9% | +36.1% | +10.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.6% | +2.3% | +19.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | +5.9% | -17.8% |
Valuation Metrics
HESM leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 13.4x trailing earnings, HESM trades at a 27% valuation discount to KNTK's 18.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, DKL's 8.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KNTK's 13.1x.
| Metric | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.3B | $8.0B | $2.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.2B | $11.7B | $2.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 18.33x | 13.36x | 15.53x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 42.23x | 13.16x | 13.88x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.79x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.11x | 9.60x | 8.84x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.88x | 4.91x | 2.69x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.03x | 10.74x | 448.81x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 44.56x | 10.94x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
HESM leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DKL delivers a 19.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $19 in annual profit, vs $9 for KNTK. KNTK carries lower financial leverage with a 1.32x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HESM's 8.61x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HESM scores 6/9 vs DKL's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.0% | +74.9% | +19.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.5% | +8.1% | +6.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.9% | +18.6% | +14.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.5% | +24.8% | +8.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.32x | 8.61x | 5.75x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.9B | $3.8B | $24M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $4M | $2M | $11M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.9B | $3.8B | $35M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.51x | 4.54x | 1.66x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KNTK leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HESM five years ago would be worth $22,485 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $17,945 for DKL. Over the past 12 months, DKL leads with a +46.2% total return vs HESM's +10.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KNTK at 24.5% vs DKL's 13.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +36.7% | +12.5% | +13.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +26.9% | +10.6% | +46.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +93.1% | +61.5% | +46.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +98.4% | +124.9% | +79.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -33.8% | +119.7% | +201.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +24.5% | +17.3% | +13.5% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — KNTK and HESM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HESM is the less volatile stock with a 0.27 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KNTK's 0.60 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. KNTK currently trades 94.3% from its 52-week high vs HESM's 86.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.60x | 0.27x | 0.35x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $51.11 | $44.14 | $55.89 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $31.33 | $31.63 | $37.50 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.3% | +86.6% | +91.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 64.1 | 55.6 | 55.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 1.6M | 65K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — KNTK and HESM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: KNTK as "Buy", HESM as "Hold", DKL as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 9.3% upside for DKL (target: $56) vs -16.3% for HESM (target: $32). For income investors, KNTK offers the higher dividend yield at 16.55% vs HESM's 7.44%.
| Metric | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $47.57 | $32.00 | $56.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 15 | 9 | 10 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +16.5% | +7.4% | +8.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $7.98 | $2.84 | $4.45 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +5.3% | +5.0% | +0.4% |
HESM leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). KNTK leads in 1 (Total Returns). 2 tied.
KNTK vs HESM vs DKL: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KNTK or HESM or DKL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Kinetik Holdings Inc.
(KNTK) is the stronger pick with 19. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 7% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP (DKL). Hess Midstream LP (HESM) offers the better valuation at 13. 4x trailing P/E (13. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Kinetik Holdings Inc. (KNTK) a "Buy" — based on 15 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 has the better valuation — KNTK or HESM or DKL?
On trailing P/E, Hess Midstream LP (HESM) is the cheapest at 13.
4x versus Kinetik Holdings Inc. at 18. 3x. On forward P/E, Hess Midstream LP is actually cheaper at 13. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KNTK or HESM or DKL?
Over the past 5 years, Hess Midstream LP (HESM) delivered a total return of +124.
9%, compared to +79. 4% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP (DKL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DKL returned +201. 2% versus KNTK's -33. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — KNTK or HESM or DKL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Hess Midstream LP (HESM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
27β versus Kinetik Holdings Inc. 's 0. 60β — meaning KNTK is approximately 122% more volatile than HESM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kinetik Holdings Inc. (KNTK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 132% versus 9% for Hess Midstream LP — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KNTK or HESM or DKL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Kinetik Holdings Inc.
(KNTK) is pulling ahead at 19. 0% versus 7. 7% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP (DKL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Kinetik Holdings Inc. grew EPS 157. 8% year-over-year, compared to 10. 4% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP. Over a 3-year CAGR, KNTK leads at 13. 3% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — KNTK or HESM or DKL?
Hess Midstream LP (HESM) is the more profitable company, earning 21.
8% net margin versus 10. 1% for Kinetik Holdings Inc. — meaning it keeps 21. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HESM leads at 62. 2% versus 9. 3% for KNTK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HESM leads at 63. 9%, 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.
07Is KNTK or HESM or DKL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Hess Midstream LP (HESM) trades at 13.
2x forward P/E versus 42. 2x for Kinetik Holdings Inc. — 29. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DKL: 9. 3% to $56. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — KNTK or HESM or DKL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Kinetik Holdings Inc. (KNTK) offers the highest yield at 16. 5%, versus 7. 4% for Hess Midstream LP (HESM).
09Is KNTK or HESM or DKL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Hess Midstream LP (HESM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
27), 7. 4% yield, +119. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HESM: +119. 7%, KNTK: -33. 8%), 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.
10What are the main differences between KNTK and HESM and DKL?
Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: KNTK is a small-cap high-growth stock; HESM is a small-cap deep-value stock; DKL is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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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