HESM vs MPLX

For growth investors, Hess Midstream LP (HESM) is the stronger pick with 8.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 4% for MPLX Lp (MPLX). MPLX Lp (MPLX) offers the better valuation at 11. 7x trailing P/E (12. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MPLX Lp (MPLX) a "Buy" — based on 28 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, MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the cheapest at 11.

7x versus Hess Midstream LP at 13. 5x. On forward P/E, MPLX Lp is actually cheaper at 12. 7x.

Over the past 5 years, MPLX Lp (MPLX) delivered a total return of +157.

2%, compared to +123. 1% for Hess Midstream LP (HESM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MPLX returned +184. 4% versus HESM's +121. 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), MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

18β versus Hess Midstream LP's 0. 27β — meaning HESM is approximately 47% more volatile than MPLX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MPLX Lp (MPLX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 180% versus 9% for Hess Midstream LP — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Hess Midstream LP (HESM) is pulling ahead at 8.

7% versus 8. 4% for MPLX Lp (MPLX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hess Midstream LP grew EPS 14. 9% year-over-year, compared to 14. 5% for MPLX Lp. Over a 3-year CAGR, HESM leads at 8. 4% 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.

MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the more profitable company, earning 41.

6% net margin versus 21. 8% for Hess Midstream LP — meaning it keeps 41. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HESM leads at 62. 2% versus 40. 3% for MPLX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HESM leads at 63. 9%, 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, MPLX Lp (MPLX) trades at 12.

7x forward P/E versus 13. 3x for Hess Midstream LP — 0. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MPLX: 7. 1% to $60. 25.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Hess Midstream LP (HESM) offers the highest yield at 7. 4%, versus 7. 0% for MPLX Lp (MPLX).

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

18), 7. 0% yield, +184. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MPLX: +184. 4%, HESM: +121. 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.