Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
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EGY vs IMPP
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
EGY vs IMPP — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production |
| Market Cap | $623M | $167M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $249M | $136M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-143M | $39M |
| Gross Margin | 18.9% | 30.5% |
| Operating Margin | 1.7% | 23.0% |
| Forward P/E | 22.4x | 2.4x |
| Total Debt | $128M | $79K |
| Cash & Equiv. | $59M | $68M |
EGY vs IMPP — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Dec 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAALCO Energy, Inc. (EGY) | 100 | 186.3 | +86.3% |
| Imperial Petroleum … (IMPP) | 100 | 15.3 | -84.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: EGY vs IMPP
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
EGY is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.16, yield 4.3%
- 5.4% 10Y total return vs IMPP's -95.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.16, Low D/E 29.0%, current ratio 0.69x
IMPP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth -19.7%, EPS growth -52.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 104.0%
- -19.7% revenue growth vs EGY's -25.0%
- Lower P/E (2.4x vs 22.4x)
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -19.7% revenue growth vs EGY's -25.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (2.4x vs 22.4x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 28.6% margin vs EGY's -57.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.16 vs IMPP's 0.65 | |
| Dividends | 4.3% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs IMPP's 1.1% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +91.7% vs IMPP's +86.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.2% ROA vs EGY's -15.3%, ROIC 10.6% vs 6.8% |
EGY vs IMPP — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
EGY vs IMPP — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IMPP leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EGY is the larger business by revenue, generating $249M annually — 1.8x IMPP's $136M. IMPP is the more profitable business, keeping 28.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to EGY's -57.4%. On growth, IMPP holds the edge at +25.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $249M | $136M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $102M | $54M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$143M | $39M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $44M | $65M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +18.9% | +30.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.7% | +23.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -57.4% | +28.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.5% | +47.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | +25.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -13.2% | 0.0% |
Valuation Metrics
IMPP leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, IMPP's 1.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than EGY's 4.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $623M | $167M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $693M | $99M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -14.95x | 3.51x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 22.36x | 2.40x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 4.43x | 1.63x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.74x | 1.13x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.40x | 0.39x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 55.26x |
Profitability & Efficiency
IMPP leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IMPP delivers a 8.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 in annual profit, vs $-32 for EGY. IMPP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to EGY's 0.29x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), IMPP scores 4/9 vs EGY's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -31.7% | +8.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -15.3% | +8.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.8% | +10.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.2% | +11.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.29x | 0.00x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $70M | -$68M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $59M | $68M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $128M | $78,761 |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.10x | 15.99x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
EGY leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in EGY five years ago would be worth $25,544 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $436 for IMPP. Over the past 12 months, EGY leads with a +91.7% total return vs IMPP's +86.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EGY at 16.6% vs IMPP's 16.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +65.1% | +34.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +91.7% | +86.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +58.4% | +57.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +155.4% | -95.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +535.1% | -95.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.6% | +16.3% |
Risk & Volatility
EGY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EGY is the less volatile stock with a 0.16 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than IMPP's 0.65 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. EGY currently trades 89.0% from its 52-week high vs IMPP's 74.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.16x | 0.65x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $6.72 | $6.57 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.14 | $2.45 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +89.0% | +74.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.3 | 56.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 747K |
Analyst Outlook
EGY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates EGY as "Buy" and IMPP as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 22.2% upside for IMPP (target: $6) vs 22.1% for EGY (target: $7). For income investors, EGY offers the higher dividend yield at 4.26% vs IMPP's 1.07%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $7.30 | $6.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 1 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +4.3% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.25 | $0.05 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +1.5% |
IMPP leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). EGY leads in 3 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility).
EGY vs IMPP: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is EGY or IMPP a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Imperial Petroleum Inc.
(IMPP) is the stronger pick with -19. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -25. 0% for VAALCO Energy, Inc. (EGY). Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP) offers the better valuation at 3. 5x trailing P/E (2. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate VAALCO Energy, Inc. (EGY) a "Buy" — based on 5 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 — EGY or IMPP?
On forward P/E, Imperial Petroleum Inc.
is actually cheaper at 2. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — EGY or IMPP?
Over the past 5 years, VAALCO Energy, Inc.
(EGY) delivered a total return of +155. 4%, compared to -95. 6% for Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EGY returned +535. 1% versus IMPP's -95. 6%. 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 — EGY or IMPP?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), VAALCO Energy, Inc.
(EGY) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 16β versus Imperial Petroleum Inc. 's 0. 65β — meaning IMPP is approximately 318% more volatile than EGY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 29% for VAALCO Energy, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — EGY or IMPP?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Imperial Petroleum Inc.
(IMPP) is pulling ahead at -19. 7% versus -25. 0% for VAALCO Energy, Inc. (EGY). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Imperial Petroleum Inc. grew EPS -52. 2% year-over-year, compared to -171. 8% for VAALCO Energy, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, IMPP leads at 104. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — EGY or IMPP?
Imperial Petroleum Inc.
(IMPP) is the more profitable company, earning 34. 0% net margin versus -11. 5% for VAALCO Energy, Inc. — meaning it keeps 34. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IMPP leads at 29. 9% versus 13. 0% for EGY. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IMPP leads at 34. 2%, 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 EGY or IMPP more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Imperial Petroleum Inc.
(IMPP) trades at 2. 4x forward P/E versus 22. 4x for VAALCO Energy, Inc. — 20. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IMPP: 22. 2% to $6. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — EGY or IMPP?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
VAALCO Energy, Inc. (EGY) offers the highest yield at 4. 3%, versus 1. 1% for Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP).
09Is EGY or IMPP better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, VAALCO Energy, Inc.
(EGY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 16), 4. 3% yield, +535. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EGY: +535. 1%, IMPP: -95. 6%), 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 EGY and IMPP?
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: EGY is a small-cap income-oriented stock; IMPP is a small-cap deep-value 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.
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