IEP vs PSX

For growth investors, Phillips 66 (PSX) is the stronger pick with -7.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -14. 7% for Icahn Enterprises L. P. (IEP). Phillips 66 (PSX) offers the better valuation at 16. 7x trailing P/E (12. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Icahn Enterprises L. P. (IEP) a "Buy" — based on 2 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 forward P/E, Phillips 66 is actually cheaper at 12.

3x.

Over the past 5 years, Phillips 66 (PSX) delivered a total return of +137.

1%, compared to -40. 3% for Icahn Enterprises L. P. (IEP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PSX returned +174. 6% versus IEP's +21. 4%. 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), Phillips 66 (PSX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

43β versus Icahn Enterprises L. P. 's 0. 60β — meaning IEP is approximately 39% more volatile than PSX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Phillips 66 (PSX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 76% versus 189% for Icahn Enterprises L. P. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Phillips 66 (PSX) is pulling ahead at -7.

6% versus -14. 7% for Icahn Enterprises L. P. (IEP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Phillips 66 grew EPS 116. 2% year-over-year, compared to 46. 4% for Icahn Enterprises L. P.. Over a 3-year CAGR, IEP leads at -6. 1% 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.

Phillips 66 (PSX) is the more profitable company, earning 3.

3% net margin versus -4. 3% for Icahn Enterprises L. P. — meaning it keeps 3. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PSX leads at 2. 7% versus 1. 5% for IEP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IEP leads at 9. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Phillips 66 (PSX) trades at 12.

3x forward P/E versus 18. 9x for Icahn Enterprises L. P. — 6. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Icahn Enterprises L. P. (IEP) offers the highest yield at 10. 1%, versus 2. 6% for Phillips 66 (PSX).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Phillips 66 (PSX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

43), 2. 6% yield, +174. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PSX: +174. 6%, IEP: +21. 4%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (IEP (Industrials) and PSX (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: IEP is a small-cap income-oriented stock; PSX 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.