SUN vs MMLP

For growth investors, Sunoco LP (SUN) is the stronger pick with 11.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 2% for Martin Midstream Partners L. P. (MMLP). Sunoco LP (SUN) offers the better valuation at 18. 3x trailing P/E (9. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Martin Midstream Partners L. P. (MMLP) a "Buy" — based on 11 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.

Over the past 5 years, Sunoco LP (SUN) delivered a total return of +133.

9%, compared to +8. 7% for Martin Midstream Partners L. P. (MMLP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SUN returned +201. 8% versus MMLP's -59. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Sunoco LP (SUN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

13β versus Martin Midstream Partners L. P. 's 0. 39β — meaning MMLP is approximately 205% more volatile than SUN relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Sunoco LP (SUN) is pulling ahead at 11.

1% versus 1. 2% for Martin Midstream Partners L. P. (MMLP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Sunoco LP grew EPS -39. 0% year-over-year, compared to -184. 6% for Martin Midstream Partners L. P.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SUN leads at -0. 7% 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.

Sunoco LP (SUN) is the more profitable company, earning 2.

1% net margin versus -2. 0% for Martin Midstream Partners L. P. — meaning it keeps 2. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MMLP leads at 6. 5% versus 3. 7% for SUN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MMLP leads at 12. 4%, 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.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Sunoco LP (SUN) offers the highest yield at 7. 2%, versus 0. 9% for Martin Midstream Partners L. P. (MMLP).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Sunoco LP (SUN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

13), 7. 2% yield, +201. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SUN: +201. 8%, MMLP: -59. 9%), 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.

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: SUN is a small-cap income-oriented stock; MMLP is a small-cap quality compounder 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.