EQNR vs EC

For growth investors, Equinor ASA (EQNR) is the stronger pick with 3.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -16. 4% for Ecopetrol S. A. (EC). Ecopetrol S. A. (EC) offers the better valuation at 12. 9x trailing P/E (0. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Equinor ASA (EQNR) a "Hold" — based on 23 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, Ecopetrol S.

A. (EC) is the cheapest at 12. 9x versus Equinor ASA at 21. 2x. On forward P/E, Ecopetrol S. A. is actually cheaper at 0. 0x.

Over the past 5 years, Equinor ASA (EQNR) delivered a total return of +149.

1%, compared to +91. 7% for Ecopetrol S. A. (EC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EQNR returned +239. 6% versus EC's +183. 9%. 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), Equinor ASA (EQNR) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

43β versus Ecopetrol S. A. 's 0. 03β — meaning EC is approximately -106% more volatile than EQNR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Equinor ASA (EQNR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 83% versus 100% for Ecopetrol S. A. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Equinor ASA (EQNR) is pulling ahead at 3.

6% versus -16. 4% for Ecopetrol S. A. (EC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Equinor ASA grew EPS -37. 3% year-over-year, compared to -39. 5% for Ecopetrol S. A.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EQNR leads at -10. 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.

Ecopetrol S.

A. (EC) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 5% net margin versus 4. 8% for Equinor ASA — meaning it keeps 7. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EQNR leads at 25. 7% versus 22. 3% for EC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EC leads at 31. 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, Ecopetrol S.

A. (EC) trades at 0. 0x forward P/E versus 8. 7x for Equinor ASA — 8. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EQNR: -11. 8% to $36. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Ecopetrol S. A. (EC) offers the highest yield at 10. 1%, versus 4. 5% for Equinor ASA (EQNR).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Equinor ASA (EQNR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.

43), 4. 5% yield, +239. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EQNR: +239. 6%, EC: +183. 9%), 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: EQNR is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; EC is a mid-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.