APA
APA Corporation
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Market Cap$13.54B
5Y Perf.+255.0%
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Stock Comparison
APA vs XOM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
XOM
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Oil & Gas Integrated
Market Cap$629.60B
5Y Perf.+226.7%
APA vs XOM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | APA | XOM |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Oil & Gas Integrated |
| Market Cap | $13.54B | $629.60B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $8.92B | $323.90B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.43B | $28.84B |
| Gross Margin | 38.1% | 21.7% |
| Operating Margin | 30.9% | 10.5% |
| Forward P/E | 7.0x | 15.0x |
| Total Debt | $4.81B | $43.54B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $516M | $10.68B |
APA vs XOM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
APA
XOM
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| APA Corporation (APA) | 100 | 355.0 | +255.0% |
| Exxon Mobil Corpora… (XOM) | 100 | 326.7 | +226.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: APA vs XOM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: APA leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Exxon Mobil Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
APA
APA Corporation
The Value Play
APA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (7.0x vs 15.0x)
- 16.1% margin vs XOM's 8.9%
- +149.8% vs XOM's +45.7%
Best for: value and quality
XOM
Exxon Mobil Corporation
The Income Pick
XOM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 26 yrs, beta -0.15, yield 2.7%
- Rev growth -4.5%, EPS growth -14.5%, 3Y rev CAGR -6.7%
- 107.4% 10Y total return vs APA's -13.8%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | XOM | -4.5% revenue growth vs APA's -8.4% |
| Value | APA | Lower P/E (7.0x vs 15.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | APA | 16.1% margin vs XOM's 8.9% |
| Stability / Safety | XOM | Lower D/E ratio (16.3% vs 68.7%) |
| Dividends | XOM | 2.7% yield, 26-year raise streak, vs APA's 2.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | APA | +149.8% vs XOM's +45.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | APA | 7.8% ROA vs XOM's 6.4%, ROIC 17.8% vs 8.6% |
APA vs XOM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
APA vs XOM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAPALAGGINGXOM
XOMExxon Mobil Corporati…
3leads
APAAPA Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs XOMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
APA4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
APA6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
APA7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
XOM4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
XOM2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
XOM2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
APA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
XOM is the larger business by revenue, generating $323.9B annually — 36.3x APA's $8.9B. APA is the more profitable business, keeping 16.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to XOM's 8.9%. On growth, XOM holds the edge at -1.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | APAAPA Corporation | XOMExxon Mobil Corpo… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $8.9B | $323.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $5.2B | $59.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.4B | $28.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.8B | $23.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +38.1% | +21.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +30.9% | +10.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.1% | +8.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +19.9% | +7.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -26.6% | -1.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -17.7% | -11.0% |
APA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
APA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 9.6x trailing earnings, APA trades at a 57% valuation discount to XOM's 22.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, APA's 3.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than XOM's 11.1x.
| Metric | APAAPA Corporation | XOMExxon Mobil Corpo… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $13.5B | $629.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $17.8B | $662.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 9.60x | 22.17x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.95x | 15.00x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 3.38x | 11.05x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.52x | 1.94x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.96x | 2.40x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 7.61x | 26.66x |
APA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
APA leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
APA delivers a 21.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $11 for XOM. XOM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.16x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to APA's 0.69x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), APA scores 5/9 vs XOM's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | APAAPA Corporation | XOMExxon Mobil Corpo… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +21.1% | +10.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.8% | +6.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +17.8% | +8.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +16.7% | +8.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.69x | 0.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4.3B | $32.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $516M | $10.7B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.8B | $43.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 11.52x | 69.44x |
APA leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
XOM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in XOM five years ago would be worth $27,178 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $19,838 for APA. Over the past 12 months, APA leads with a +149.8% total return vs XOM's +45.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors XOM at 13.7% vs APA's 7.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | APAAPA Corporation | XOMExxon Mobil Corpo… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +53.0% | +22.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +149.8% | +45.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +24.8% | +46.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +98.4% | +171.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -13.8% | +107.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +7.7% | +13.7% |
XOM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
XOM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
XOM is the less volatile stock with a -0.15 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than APA's -0.02 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | APAAPA Corporation | XOMExxon Mobil Corpo… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.02x | -0.15x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $45.66 | $176.41 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $15.20 | $101.19 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +83.9% | +84.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.6 | 53.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 9.0M | 18.8M |
XOM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
XOM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates APA as "Hold" and XOM as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 8.0% upside for XOM (target: $160) vs -15.2% for APA (target: $32). For income investors, XOM offers the higher dividend yield at 2.69% vs APA's 2.62%.
| Metric | APAAPA Corporation | XOMExxon Mobil Corpo… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $32.46 | $160.43 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 51 | 55 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.6% | +2.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 26 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.00 | $4.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.1% | +3.2% |
XOM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
APA leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). XOM leads in 3 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility).
Best OverallAPA Corporation (APA)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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APA vs XOM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is APA or XOM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is the stronger pick with -4.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -8. 4% for APA Corporation (APA). APA Corporation (APA) offers the better valuation at 9. 6x trailing P/E (7. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate APA Corporation (APA) a "Hold" — based on 51 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 — APA or XOM?
On trailing P/E, APA Corporation (APA) is the cheapest at 9.
6x versus Exxon Mobil Corporation at 22. 2x. On forward P/E, APA Corporation is actually cheaper at 7. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — APA or XOM?
Over the past 5 years, Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) delivered a total return of +171.
8%, compared to +98. 4% for APA Corporation (APA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: XOM returned +107. 4% versus APA's -13. 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 — APA or XOM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
15β versus APA Corporation's -0. 02β — meaning APA is approximately -86% more volatile than XOM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 69% for APA Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — APA or XOM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is pulling ahead at -4.
5% versus -8. 4% for APA Corporation (APA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: APA Corporation grew EPS 75. 0% year-over-year, compared to -14. 5% for Exxon Mobil Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, XOM leads at -6. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — APA or XOM?
APA Corporation (APA) is the more profitable company, earning 16.
1% net margin versus 8. 9% for Exxon Mobil Corporation — meaning it keeps 16. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: APA leads at 30. 8% versus 10. 5% for XOM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — APA leads at 37. 3%, 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 APA or XOM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, APA Corporation (APA) trades at 7.
0x forward P/E versus 15. 0x for Exxon Mobil Corporation — 8. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for XOM: 8. 0% to $160. 43.
08Which pays a better dividend — APA or XOM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 2. 6% for APA Corporation (APA).
09Is APA or XOM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
15), 2. 7% yield, +107. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (XOM: +107. 4%, APA: -13. 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 APA and XOM?
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: APA is a mid-cap deep-value stock; XOM is a large-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.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(APA: -26.6% · XOM: -1.3%)Net Margin>
%
(APA: 16.1% · XOM: 8.9%)P/E Ratio<
x
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