CVE
Cenovus Energy Inc.
Oil & Gas Integrated
Market Cap$54.61B
5Y Perf.+569.7%
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Stock Comparison
CVE vs MPC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MPC
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing
Market Cap$72.38B
5Y Perf.+599.4%
CVE vs MPC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CVE | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Integrated | Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing |
| Market Cap | $54.61B | $72.38B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $51.21B | $135.75B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $3.93B | $4.63B |
| Gross Margin | 19.7% | 8.8% |
| Operating Margin | 11.5% | 5.0% |
| Forward P/E | 7.6x | 11.1x |
| Total Debt | $17.00B | $34.36B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.74B | $3.67B |
CVE vs MPC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CVE
MPC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE) | 100 | 669.7 | +569.7% |
| Marathon Petroleum … (MPC) | 100 | 699.4 | +599.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CVE vs MPC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CVE leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Marathon Petroleum Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CVE
Cenovus Energy Inc.
The Income Pick
CVE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.22, yield 2.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.22, Low D/E 53.8%, current ratio 1.57x
- Beta 0.22, yield 2.0%, current ratio 1.57x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
MPC
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
The Growth Play
MPC is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -4.4%, EPS growth 31.5%, 3Y rev CAGR -9.2%
- 6.5% 10Y total return vs CVE's 115.0%
- -4.4% revenue growth vs CVE's -14.0%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MPC | -4.4% revenue growth vs CVE's -14.0% |
| Value | CVE | Lower P/E (7.6x vs 11.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | CVE | 7.7% margin vs MPC's 3.4% |
| Stability / Safety | CVE | Beta 0.22 vs MPC's 0.30, lower leverage |
| Dividends | CVE | 2.0% yield, vs MPC's 1.5% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CVE | +149.8% vs MPC's +72.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CVE | 6.9% ROA vs MPC's 5.5%, ROIC 7.9% vs 8.3% |
CVE vs MPC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2020
FY 2025
CVE vs MPC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCVELAGGINGMPC
MPCMarathon Petroleum Co…
1leads
CVECenovus Energy Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MPCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CVE4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CVE4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CVE5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MPC4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CVE2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CVE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MPC is the larger business by revenue, generating $135.8B annually — 2.7x CVE's $51.2B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 7.7% (CVE) to 3.4% (MPC). On growth, MPC holds the edge at +9.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CVECenovus Energy In… | MPCMarathon Petroleu… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $51.2B | $135.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $11.2B | $10.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $3.9B | $4.6B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.4B | $5.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +19.7% | +8.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +11.5% | +5.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.7% | +3.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +6.7% | +4.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -28.4% | +9.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.0% | +8.2% |
CVE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CVE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 18.3x trailing earnings, CVE trades at a 1% valuation discount to MPC's 18.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CVE's 9.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MPC's 11.4x.
| Metric | CVECenovus Energy In… | MPCMarathon Petroleu… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $54.6B | $72.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $65.1B | $103.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 18.32x | 18.52x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 7.61x | 11.07x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.02x | 11.43x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.49x | 0.55x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.27x | 3.11x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 21.79x | 15.18x |
CVE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVE leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MPC delivers a 19.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $20 in annual profit, vs $13 for CVE. CVE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.54x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MPC's 1.43x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MPC scores 7/9 vs CVE's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | CVECenovus Energy In… | MPCMarathon Petroleu… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.2% | +19.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.9% | +5.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.9% | +8.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.2% | +9.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.54x | 1.43x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $14.3B | $30.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.7B | $3.7B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $17.0B | $34.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 9.69x | 6.36x |
CVE leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MPC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MPC five years ago would be worth $43,929 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $39,013 for CVE. Over the past 12 months, CVE leads with a +149.8% total return vs MPC's +72.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MPC at 33.1% vs CVE's 23.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CVECenovus Energy In… | MPCMarathon Petroleu… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +66.2% | +49.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +149.8% | +72.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +88.6% | +135.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +290.1% | +339.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +115.0% | +654.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +23.6% | +33.1% |
MPC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVE is the less volatile stock with a 0.22 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MPC's 0.30 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | CVECenovus Energy In… | MPCMarathon Petroleu… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.22x | 0.30x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $30.84 | $261.61 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.60 | $141.91 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.0% | +93.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 76.5 | 72.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 13.2M | 2.5M |
CVE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CVE and MPC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CVE as "Hold" and MPC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -4.6% upside for CVE (target: $28) vs -12.6% for MPC (target: $215). For income investors, CVE offers the higher dividend yield at 1.98% vs MPC's 1.52%.
| Metric | CVECenovus Energy In… | MPCMarathon Petroleu… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $27.67 | $214.78 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 27 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.0% | +1.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.78 | $3.74 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.4% | +4.8% |
Evenly matched — CVE and MPC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CVE leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). MPC leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallCenovus Energy Inc. (CVE)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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CVE vs MPC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CVE or MPC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is the stronger pick with -4.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -14. 0% for Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE). Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE) offers the better valuation at 18. 3x trailing P/E (7. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) a "Buy" — 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.
02Which has the better valuation — CVE or MPC?
On trailing P/E, Cenovus Energy Inc.
(CVE) is the cheapest at 18. 3x versus Marathon Petroleum Corporation at 18. 5x. On forward P/E, Cenovus Energy Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CVE or MPC?
Over the past 5 years, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) delivered a total return of +339.
3%, compared to +290. 1% for Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MPC returned +654. 2% versus CVE's +115. 0%. 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 — CVE or MPC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cenovus Energy Inc.
(CVE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 22β versus Marathon Petroleum Corporation's 0. 30β — meaning MPC is approximately 34% more volatile than CVE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 54% versus 143% for Marathon Petroleum Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CVE or MPC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is pulling ahead at -4.
4% versus -14. 0% for Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Marathon Petroleum Corporation grew EPS 31. 5% year-over-year, compared to 28. 7% for Cenovus Energy Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MPC leads at -9. 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 — CVE or MPC?
Cenovus Energy Inc.
(CVE) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 9% net margin versus 3. 0% for Marathon Petroleum Corporation — meaning it keeps 7. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CVE leads at 8. 8% versus 4. 3% for MPC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CVE leads at 10. 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.
07Is CVE or MPC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Cenovus Energy Inc.
(CVE) trades at 7. 6x forward P/E versus 11. 1x for Marathon Petroleum Corporation — 3. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CVE: -4. 6% to $27. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — CVE or MPC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 1. 5% for Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC).
09Is CVE or MPC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
30), 1. 5% yield, +654. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MPC: +654. 2%, CVE: +115. 0%), 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 CVE and MPC?
Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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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Revenue Growth>
%
(CVE: -28.4% · MPC: 9.7%)Net Margin>
%
(CVE: 7.7% · MPC: 3.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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