GPOR vs CTRA

For growth investors, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the stronger pick with 42.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) offers the better valuation at 8. 3x trailing P/E (7. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) a "Buy" — based on 8 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, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the cheapest at 8.

3x versus Coterra Energy Inc. at 14. 5x. On forward P/E, Gulfport Energy Corporation is actually cheaper at 7. 0x.

Over the past 5 years, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) delivered a total return of +145.

1%, compared to +125. 2% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GPOR returned +145. 1% versus CTRA's +68. 7%. 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. 03β versus Gulfport Energy Corporation's 0. 14β — meaning GPOR is approximately 383% more volatile than CTRA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 27% versus 43% for Gulfport Energy Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is pulling ahead at 42.

5% versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Gulfport Energy Corporation grew EPS 245. 9% year-over-year, compared to 49. 0% for Coterra Energy Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GPOR leads at -17. 2% 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 32. 3% for Gulfport Energy 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 37. 9% for GPOR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GPOR leads at 70. 7%, 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, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) trades at 7.

0x forward P/E versus 11. 5x for Coterra Energy Inc. — 4. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GPOR: 35. 3% to $242. 00.

In this comparison, CTRA (2.

8% yield) pays a dividend. GPOR does 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. 03), 2. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CTRA: +68. 7%, GPOR: +145. 1%), 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: GPOR is a small-cap high-growth stock; CTRA is a mid-cap deep-value stock. CTRA pays a dividend while GPOR does 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.