CTRA vs FANG

For growth investors, Diamondback Energy, Inc.

(FANG) is the stronger pick with 36. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) offers the better valuation at 14. 5x trailing P/E (11. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) a "Buy" — based on 55 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, Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) is the cheapest at 14. 5x versus Diamondback Energy, Inc. at 34. 0x. On forward P/E, Diamondback Energy, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Diamondback Energy, Inc.

(FANG) delivered a total return of +175. 7%, compared to +128. 9% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FANG returned +168. 8% versus CTRA's +70. 1%. 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), Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 03β versus Diamondback Energy, Inc. 's 0. 09β — meaning FANG is approximately 204% more volatile than CTRA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 27% versus 34% for Diamondback Energy, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Diamondback Energy, Inc.

(FANG) is pulling ahead at 36. 3% versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Coterra Energy Inc. grew EPS 49. 0% year-over-year, compared to -63. 1% for Diamondback Energy, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FANG leads at 16. 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.

Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) is the more profitable company, earning 62. 4% net margin versus 11. 1% for Diamondback Energy, Inc. — meaning it keeps 62. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CTRA leads at 89. 1% versus 32. 7% for FANG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CTRA leads at 60. 4%, 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, Diamondback Energy, Inc.

(FANG) trades at 10. 9x forward P/E versus 11. 5x for Coterra Energy Inc. — 0. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CTRA: 4. 5% to $34. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 2. 0% for Diamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Diamondback Energy, Inc.

(FANG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 09), 2. 0% yield, +168. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FANG: +168. 8%, CTRA: +70. 1%), 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.

In terms of investment character: CTRA is a mid-cap deep-value stock; FANG is a mid-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.