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ASC vs XOM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Integrated
ASC vs XOM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Marine Shipping | Oil & Gas Integrated |
| Market Cap | $767M | $629.60B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $310M | $323.90B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $41M | $28.84B |
| Gross Margin | 28.8% | 21.7% |
| Operating Margin | 20.8% | 10.5% |
| Forward P/E | 6.5x | 15.0x |
| Total Debt | $129M | $43.54B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $47M | $10.68B |
ASC vs XOM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ardmore Shipping Co… (ASC) | 100 | 321.7 | +221.7% |
| Exxon Mobil Corpora… (XOM) | 100 | 326.7 | +226.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ASC vs XOM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ASC is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 151.2% 10Y total return vs XOM's 107.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.48, Low D/E 20.3%, current ratio 4.33x
- Beta 0.48, yield 2.0%, current ratio 4.33x
XOM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for 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%
- -4.5% revenue growth vs ASC's -23.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -4.5% revenue growth vs ASC's -23.6% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (6.5x vs 15.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 13.2% margin vs XOM's 8.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (16.3% vs 20.3%) | |
| Dividends | 2.7% yield, 26-year raise streak, vs ASC's 2.0% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +92.9% vs XOM's +45.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 6.4% ROA vs ASC's 5.5%, ROIC 8.6% vs 9.0% |
ASC vs XOM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
ASC 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)
ASC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
XOM is the larger business by revenue, generating $323.9B annually — 1044.2x ASC's $310M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 13.2% (ASC) to 8.9% (XOM).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $310M | $323.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $101M | $59.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $41M | $28.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$41M | $23.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +28.8% | +21.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +20.8% | +10.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +8.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -13.2% | +7.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.1% | -1.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +91.7% | -11.0% |
Valuation Metrics
ASC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 21.4x trailing earnings, ASC trades at a 4% valuation discount to XOM's 22.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ASC's 7.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than XOM's 11.1x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $767M | $629.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $849M | $662.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 21.35x | 22.17x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.48x | 15.00x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.39x | 11.05x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.47x | 1.94x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.21x | 2.40x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 26.66x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ASC leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
XOM delivers a 10.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $6 for ASC. XOM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.16x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ASC's 0.20x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ASC scores 5/9 vs XOM's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.4% | +10.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.5% | +6.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.0% | +8.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.3% | +8.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.20x | 0.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $82M | $32.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $47M | $10.7B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $129M | $43.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 7.70x | 69.44x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ASC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ASC five years ago would be worth $47,367 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $27,178 for XOM. Over the past 12 months, ASC leads with a +92.9% total return vs XOM's +45.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ASC at 15.7% vs XOM's 13.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +80.7% | +22.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +92.9% | +45.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +54.7% | +46.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +373.7% | +171.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +151.2% | +107.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +15.7% | +13.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ASC 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 ASC's 0.48 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ASC currently trades 97.9% from its 52-week high vs XOM's 84.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.48x | -0.15x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.20 | $176.41 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.18 | $101.19 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.9% | +84.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 79.6 | 53.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 674K | 18.8M |
Analyst Outlook
XOM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ASC as "Buy" and XOM as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 8.0% upside for XOM (target: $160) vs 1.1% for ASC (target: $19). For income investors, XOM offers the higher dividend yield at 2.69% vs ASC's 2.00%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $19.00 | $160.43 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 17 | 55 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.0% | +2.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 26 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.38 | $4.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +3.2% |
ASC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). XOM leads in 1 (Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
ASC vs XOM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ASC 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 -23. 6% for Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC). Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) offers the better valuation at 21. 4x trailing P/E (6. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) a "Buy" — based on 17 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 — ASC or XOM?
On trailing P/E, Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) is the cheapest at 21.
4x versus Exxon Mobil Corporation at 22. 2x. On forward P/E, Ardmore Shipping Corporation is actually cheaper at 6. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ASC or XOM?
Over the past 5 years, Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) delivered a total return of +373.
7%, compared to +171. 8% for Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ASC returned +151. 2% 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 — ASC or XOM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
15β versus Ardmore Shipping Corporation's 0. 48β — meaning ASC is approximately -428% 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 20% for Ardmore Shipping Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ASC or XOM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is pulling ahead at -4.
5% versus -23. 6% for Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Exxon Mobil Corporation grew EPS -14. 5% year-over-year, compared to -71. 2% for Ardmore Shipping 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 — ASC or XOM?
Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) is the more profitable company, earning 13.
2% net margin versus 8. 9% for Exxon Mobil Corporation — meaning it keeps 13. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ASC leads at 26. 1% versus 10. 5% for XOM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ASC leads at 34. 2%, 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 ASC or XOM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) trades at 6.
5x forward P/E versus 15. 0x for Exxon Mobil Corporation — 8. 5x 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 — ASC or XOM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 2. 0% for Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC).
09Is ASC 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%, ASC: +151. 2%), 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 ASC and XOM?
These companies operate in different sectors (ASC (Industrials) and XOM (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
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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