Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
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IMPP vs NVGS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Midstream
IMPP vs NVGS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Oil & Gas Midstream |
| Market Cap | $167M | $1.49B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $136M | $576M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $39M | $109M |
| Gross Margin | 30.5% | 35.9% |
| Operating Margin | 23.0% | 25.1% |
| Forward P/E | 2.4x | 14.1x |
| Total Debt | $79K | $903M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $68M | $205M |
IMPP vs NVGS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Dec 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Petroleum … (IMPP) | 100 | 15.3 | -84.7% |
| Navigator Holdings … (NVGS) | 100 | 257.8 | +157.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: IMPP vs NVGS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
IMPP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.65, Low D/E 0.0%, current ratio 7.92x
- Beta 0.65, yield 1.1%, current ratio 7.92x
- Lower P/E (2.4x vs 14.1x)
NVGS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.63, yield 0.9%
- Rev growth 3.6%, EPS growth 23.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 7.4%
- 60.0% 10Y total return vs IMPP's -95.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 3.6% revenue growth vs IMPP's -19.7% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (2.4x vs 14.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 28.6% margin vs NVGS's 18.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.63 vs IMPP's 0.65 | |
| Dividends | 1.1% yield, vs NVGS's 0.9% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +86.7% vs NVGS's +74.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.2% ROA vs NVGS's 4.7%, ROIC 10.6% vs 5.7% |
IMPP vs NVGS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
IMPP vs NVGS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — IMPP and NVGS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVGS is the larger business by revenue, generating $576M annually — 4.2x IMPP's $136M. IMPP is the more profitable business, keeping 28.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NVGS's 18.8%. On growth, IMPP holds the edge at +25.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $136M | $576M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $54M | $271M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $39M | $109M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $65M | $141M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.5% | +35.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.0% | +25.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +28.6% | +18.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +47.9% | +24.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.4% | -7.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | 0.0% | +38.5% |
Valuation Metrics
IMPP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 3.5x trailing earnings, IMPP trades at a 77% valuation discount to NVGS's 15.6x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, IMPP's 1.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NVGS's 8.0x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $167M | $1.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $99M | $2.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 3.51x | 15.56x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 2.40x | 14.12x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.10x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 1.63x | 7.97x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.13x | 2.54x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.39x | 1.24x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 55.26x | 22.65x |
Profitability & Efficiency
IMPP leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NVGS delivers a 8.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $8 for IMPP. IMPP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NVGS's 0.72x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NVGS scores 6/9 vs IMPP's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.5% | +8.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.2% | +4.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.6% | +5.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.3% | +7.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.72x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$68M | $698M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $68M | $205M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $78,761 | $903M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 15.99x | 2.88x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NVGS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NVGS five years ago would be worth $20,051 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $436 for IMPP. Over the past 12 months, IMPP leads with a +86.7% total return vs NVGS's +74.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NVGS at 22.1% vs IMPP's 16.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +34.5% | +32.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +86.7% | +74.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +57.4% | +82.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.6% | +100.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.6% | +60.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.3% | +22.1% |
Risk & Volatility
NVGS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NVGS is the less volatile stock with a 0.63 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than IMPP's 0.65 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NVGS currently trades 98.5% from its 52-week high vs IMPP's 74.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.65x | 0.63x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $6.57 | $23.22 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $2.45 | $12.91 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +74.7% | +98.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.0 | 75.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 747K | 452K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — IMPP and NVGS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates IMPP as "Hold" and NVGS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 22.2% upside for IMPP (target: $6) vs 0.6% for NVGS (target: $23). For income investors, IMPP offers the higher dividend yield at 1.07% vs NVGS's 0.95%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $6.00 | $23.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 10 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.1% | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.05 | $0.22 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.5% | +4.2% |
IMPP leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). NVGS leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 2 tied.
IMPP vs NVGS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is IMPP or NVGS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Navigator Holdings Ltd.
(NVGS) is the stronger pick with 3. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -19. 7% for Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP). Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP) offers the better valuation at 3. 5x trailing P/E (2. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Navigator Holdings Ltd. (NVGS) a "Buy" — based on 10 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.
02Which has the better valuation — IMPP or NVGS?
On trailing P/E, Imperial Petroleum Inc.
(IMPP) is the cheapest at 3. 5x versus Navigator Holdings Ltd. at 15. 6x. On forward P/E, Imperial Petroleum Inc. is actually cheaper at 2. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — IMPP or NVGS?
Over the past 5 years, Navigator Holdings Ltd.
(NVGS) delivered a total return of +100. 5%, compared to -95. 6% for Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NVGS returned +60. 0% versus IMPP's -95. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — IMPP or NVGS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Navigator Holdings Ltd.
(NVGS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 63β versus Imperial Petroleum Inc. 's 0. 65β — meaning IMPP is approximately 3% more volatile than NVGS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 72% for Navigator Holdings Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — IMPP or NVGS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Navigator Holdings Ltd.
(NVGS) is pulling ahead at 3. 6% versus -19. 7% for Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Navigator Holdings Ltd. grew EPS 23. 5% year-over-year, compared to -52. 2% for Imperial Petroleum Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, IMPP leads at 104. 0% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — IMPP or NVGS?
Imperial Petroleum Inc.
(IMPP) is the more profitable company, earning 34. 0% net margin versus 17. 1% for Navigator Holdings Ltd. — meaning it keeps 34. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IMPP leads at 29. 9% versus 23. 9% for NVGS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IMPP leads at 34. 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.
07Is IMPP or NVGS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Imperial Petroleum Inc.
(IMPP) trades at 2. 4x forward P/E versus 14. 1x for Navigator Holdings Ltd. — 11. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IMPP: 22. 2% to $6. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — IMPP or NVGS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Imperial Petroleum Inc. (IMPP) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 0. 9% for Navigator Holdings Ltd. (NVGS).
09Is IMPP or NVGS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Navigator Holdings Ltd.
(NVGS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 63), 0. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NVGS: +60. 0%, IMPP: -95. 6%), 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.
10What are the main differences between IMPP and NVGS?
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.
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