BTU vs HCC

For growth investors, Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) is the stronger pick with -8.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -14. 1% for Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC). Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC) offers the better valuation at 81. 1x trailing P/E (11. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) a "Hold" — based on 33 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.

On forward P/E, Peabody Energy Corporation is actually cheaper at 8.

2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) delivered a total return of +461.

0%, compared to +457. 0% for Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HCC returned +1199% versus BTU's -7. 2%. 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), Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

18β versus Warrior Met Coal, Inc. 's 0. 57β — meaning HCC is approximately 212% more volatile than BTU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 13% versus 14% for Peabody Energy Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) is pulling ahead at -8.

9% versus -14. 1% for Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Warrior Met Coal, Inc. grew EPS -77. 5% year-over-year, compared to -115. 9% for Peabody Energy Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, BTU leads at -8. 1% 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.

Warrior Met Coal, Inc.

(HCC) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 4% net margin versus -1. 4% for Peabody Energy Corporation — meaning it keeps 4. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HCC leads at 3. 5% versus 0. 0% for BTU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HCC leads at 8. 5%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) trades at 8.

2x forward P/E versus 11. 4x for Warrior Met Coal, Inc. — 3. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BTU: 46. 2% to $36. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) offers the highest yield at 1. 2%, versus 0. 4% for Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC).

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

18), 1. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BTU: -7. 2%, HCC: +1199%), 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.

BTU pays a dividend while HCC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.