EOG vs CTRA

For growth investors, EOG Resources, Inc.

(EOG) is the stronger pick with -3. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) offers the better valuation at 15. 5x trailing P/E (9. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) a "Buy" — based on 66 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, EOG Resources, Inc.

(EOG) is the cheapest at 15. 5x versus Coterra Energy Inc. at 15. 8x. On forward P/E, EOG Resources, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 8x.

Over the past 5 years, Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) delivered a total return of +141. 8%, compared to +119. 9% for EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EOG returned +113. 7% versus CTRA's +80. 2%. 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), EOG Resources, Inc.

(EOG) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 07β versus Coterra Energy Inc. 's 0. 03β — meaning CTRA is approximately -140% more volatile than EOG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 27% versus 28% for EOG Resources, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), EOG Resources, Inc.

(EOG) is pulling ahead at -3. 5% 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 -19. 0% for EOG Resources, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EOG leads at -8. 5% 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 22. 1% for EOG Resources, 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 35. 1% for EOG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EOG leads at 68. 1%, 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, EOG Resources, Inc.

(EOG) trades at 9. 8x forward P/E versus 12. 6x for Coterra Energy Inc. — 2. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EOG: -2. 1% to $137. 93.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 2. 5% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA).

For long-horizon retirement investors, EOG Resources, Inc.

(EOG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 07), 2. 8% yield, +113. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EOG: +113. 7%, CTRA: +80. 2%), 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.