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ARLP vs XOM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Integrated
ARLP vs XOM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Coal | Oil & Gas Integrated |
| Market Cap | $3.30B | $629.60B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.17B | $323.90B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $246M | $28.84B |
| Gross Margin | 23.9% | 21.7% |
| Operating Margin | 14.4% | 10.5% |
| Forward P/E | 11.2x | 15.0x |
| Total Debt | $480M | $43.54B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $71M | $10.68B |
ARLP vs XOM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance Resource P… (ARLP) | 100 | 809.8 | +709.8% |
| Exxon Mobil Corpora… (XOM) | 100 | 326.7 | +226.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ARLP vs XOM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ARLP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.07, yield 10.2%
- Rev growth -10.4%, EPS growth -12.6%, 3Y rev CAGR -3.2%
- 182.4% 10Y total return vs XOM's 107.4%
XOM is the clearest fit if your priority is growth and stability.
- -4.5% revenue growth vs ARLP's -10.4%
- Lower D/E ratio (16.3% vs 25.8%)
- +45.7% vs ARLP's +4.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -4.5% revenue growth vs ARLP's -10.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (11.2x vs 15.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 11.3% margin vs XOM's 8.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (16.3% vs 25.8%) | |
| Dividends | 10.2% yield, vs XOM's 2.7% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +45.7% vs ARLP's +4.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.6% ROA vs XOM's 6.4%, ROIC 12.9% vs 8.6% |
ARLP vs XOM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ARLP vs XOM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ARLP 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 — 149.2x ARLP's $2.2B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 11.3% (ARLP) to 8.9% (XOM). On growth, XOM holds the edge at -1.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.2B | $323.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $626M | $59.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $246M | $28.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $339M | $23.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +23.9% | +21.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +14.4% | +10.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +11.3% | +8.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +15.6% | +7.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.5% | -1.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -87.7% | -11.0% |
Valuation Metrics
ARLP leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 10.6x trailing earnings, ARLP trades at a 52% valuation discount to XOM's 22.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ARLP's 5.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than XOM's 11.1x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.3B | $629.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.7B | $662.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 10.61x | 22.17x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 11.22x | 15.00x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 5.42x | 11.05x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.50x | 1.94x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.77x | 2.40x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.52x | 26.66x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ARLP leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ARLP delivers a 13.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 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 ARLP's 0.26x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ARLP scores 4/9 vs XOM's 3/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.5% | +10.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.6% | +6.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +12.9% | +8.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +14.5% | +8.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.26x | 0.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $409M | $32.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $71M | $10.7B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $480M | $43.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 7.19x | 69.44x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ARLP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ARLP five years ago would be worth $62,171 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $27,178 for XOM. Over the past 12 months, XOM leads with a +45.7% total return vs ARLP's +4.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ARLP at 20.1% vs XOM's 13.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +12.8% | +22.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +4.6% | +45.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +73.1% | +46.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +521.7% | +171.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +182.4% | +107.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +20.1% | +13.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ARLP and XOM each lead in 1 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 ARLP's 0.07 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.07x | -0.15x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $29.45 | $176.41 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.20 | $101.19 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +87.2% | +84.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 49.3 | 53.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 373K | 18.8M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — ARLP and XOM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ARLP as "Hold" and XOM as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 16.9% upside for ARLP (target: $30) vs 8.0% for XOM (target: $160). For income investors, ARLP offers the higher dividend yield at 10.23% vs XOM's 2.69%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $30.00 | $160.43 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 18 | 55 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +10.2% | +2.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 26 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.63 | $4.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +3.2% |
ARLP leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 2 categories are tied.
ARLP vs XOM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ARLP 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 -10. 4% for Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. (ARLP). Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. (ARLP) offers the better valuation at 10. 6x trailing P/E (11. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. (ARLP) a "Hold" — based on 18 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 — ARLP or XOM?
On trailing P/E, Alliance Resource Partners, L.
P. (ARLP) is the cheapest at 10. 6x versus Exxon Mobil Corporation at 22. 2x. On forward P/E, Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. is actually cheaper at 11. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ARLP or XOM?
Over the past 5 years, Alliance Resource Partners, L.
P. (ARLP) delivered a total return of +521. 7%, compared to +171. 8% for Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ARLP returned +182. 4% versus XOM's +107. 4%. 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 — ARLP or XOM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
15β versus Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. 's 0. 07β — meaning ARLP is approximately -149% 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 26% for Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ARLP or XOM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is pulling ahead at -4.
5% versus -10. 4% for Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. (ARLP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. grew EPS -12. 6% year-over-year, compared to -14. 5% for Exxon Mobil Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, ARLP leads at -3. 2% 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 — ARLP or XOM?
Alliance Resource Partners, L.
P. (ARLP) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 2% net margin versus 8. 9% for Exxon Mobil Corporation — meaning it keeps 14. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ARLP leads at 17. 6% versus 10. 5% for XOM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — XOM leads at 21. 7%, 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 ARLP or XOM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Alliance Resource Partners, L.
P. (ARLP) trades at 11. 2x forward P/E versus 15. 0x for Exxon Mobil Corporation — 3. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ARLP: 16. 9% to $30. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — ARLP or XOM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Alliance Resource Partners, L. P. (ARLP) offers the highest yield at 10. 2%, versus 2. 7% for Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM).
09Is ARLP 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%, ARLP: +182. 4%), 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 ARLP 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: ARLP is a small-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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