DEC vs CNX vs CTRA vs AR

For growth investors, Diversified Energy Company PLC (DEC) is the stronger pick with 102.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). Diversified Energy Company PLC (DEC) offers the better valuation at 3. 5x trailing P/E (8. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Diversified Energy Company PLC (DEC) a "Buy" — based on 6 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, Diversified Energy Company PLC (DEC) is the cheapest at 3.

5x versus Antero Resources Corporation at 18. 3x. On forward P/E, Antero Resources Corporation is actually cheaper at 8. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Antero Resources Corporation (AR) delivered a total return of +213.

2%, compared to -19. 2% for Diversified Energy Company PLC (DEC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CNX returned +159. 3% versus DEC's +13. 3%. 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. 15β versus Antero Resources Corporation's 0. 14β — meaning AR is approximately -193% more volatile than CTRA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Diversified Energy Company PLC (DEC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 24% versus 67% for Antero Resources Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Diversified Energy Company PLC (DEC) is pulling ahead at 102.

7% versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Antero Resources Corporation grew EPS 1028% year-over-year, compared to 49. 0% for Coterra Energy Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, DEC leads at -5. 7% 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 12. 7% for Antero Resources Corporation — 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 15. 1% for DEC. 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, Antero Resources Corporation (AR) trades at 8.

4x forward P/E versus 12. 3x for CNX Resources Corporation — 3. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DEC: 38. 4% to $22. 33.

In this comparison, DEC (7.

1% yield), CTRA (2. 8% yield) pay a dividend. CNX, AR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 15), 2. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CTRA: +70. 3%, AR: +43. 7%), 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: DEC is a small-cap high-growth stock; CNX is a small-cap high-growth stock; CTRA is a mid-cap deep-value stock; AR is a mid-cap high-growth stock. DEC, CTRA pay a dividend while CNX, AR do 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.