CPK vs SWX vs NJR vs SR vs NFG

For growth investors, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is the stronger pick with 18.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -62. 0% for Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX). National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) offers the better valuation at 14. 1x trailing P/E (10. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) a "Buy" — based on 12 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 trailing P/E, National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) is the cheapest at 14.

1x versus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation at 21. 3x. On forward P/E, National Fuel Gas Company is actually cheaper at 10. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Spire Inc. wins at 0. 66x versus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's 2. 78x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) delivered a total return of +71.

4%, compared to +15. 8% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CPK returned +133. 1% versus SWX's +67. 4%. 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), New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

13β versus Spire Inc. 's 0. 06β — meaning SR is approximately -149% more volatile than NJR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 89% versus 158% for New Jersey Resources Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is pulling ahead at 18.

1% versus -62. 0% for Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: National Fuel Gas Company grew EPS 576. 2% year-over-year, compared to 4. 3% for Spire Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CPK leads at 11. 0% 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.

National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) is the more profitable company, earning 22.

8% net margin versus 11. 0% for Spire Inc. — meaning it keeps 22. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NFG leads at 35. 7% versus 21. 2% for SR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SR leads at 78. 1%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Spire Inc. (SR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 66x versus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's 2. 78x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) trades at 10. 3x forward P/E versus 21. 3x for Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. — 11. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NFG: 25. 9% to $101. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Spire Inc. (SR) offers the highest yield at 3. 6%, versus 2. 0% for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK).

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

13), 3. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NJR: +90. 4%, SR: +71. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (CPK (Utilities) and SWX (Utilities) and NJR (Utilities) and SR (Utilities) and NFG (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CPK is a small-cap high-growth stock; SWX is a small-cap deep-value stock; NJR is a small-cap deep-value stock; SR is a small-cap income-oriented stock; NFG is a small-cap high-growth 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.