CVI vs CLMT

For growth investors, Calumet, Inc.

(CLMT) is the stronger pick with 0. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 9% for CVR Energy, Inc. (CVI). CVR Energy, Inc. (CVI) offers the better valuation at 120. 7x trailing P/E (35. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CVR Energy, Inc. (CVI) a "Hold" — based on 18 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, CVR Energy, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 35. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, Calumet, Inc.

(CLMT) delivered a total return of +496. 7%, compared to +147. 0% for CVR Energy, Inc. (CVI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CLMT returned +830. 4% versus CVI's +253. 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), CVR Energy, Inc.

(CVI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 11β versus Calumet, Inc. 's 0. 40β — meaning CLMT is approximately 260% more volatile than CVI relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Calumet, Inc.

(CLMT) is pulling ahead at 0. 2% versus -5. 9% for CVR Energy, Inc. (CVI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CVR Energy, Inc. grew EPS 287. 4% year-over-year, compared to -552. 5% for Calumet, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CLMT leads at 10. 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.

CVR Energy, Inc.

(CVI) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 4% net margin versus -5. 3% for Calumet, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CVI leads at 2. 3% versus 0. 2% for CLMT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CLMT leads at 5. 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, CVR Energy, Inc.

(CVI) trades at 35. 3x forward P/E versus 452. 4x for Calumet, Inc. — 417. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CVI: -8. 0% to $30. 00.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Calumet, Inc.

(CLMT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 40), +830. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CLMT: +830. 4%, CVI: +253. 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.

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.