Oil & Gas Midstream
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5 / 10Stock Comparison
KNTK vs AM vs HESM vs DKL vs MPLX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Midstream
Oil & Gas Midstream
Oil & Gas Midstream
Oil & Gas Midstream
KNTK vs AM vs HESM vs DKL vs MPLX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream |
| Market Cap | $3.27B | $9.94B | $7.95B | $2.71B | $54.82B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.73B | $1.29B | $1.62B | $1.06B | $12.54B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $228M | $411M | $353M | $170M | $4.71B |
| Gross Margin | 27.7% | 64.5% | 75.0% | 19.2% | 60.0% |
| Operating Margin | 8.2% | 57.6% | 62.2% | 16.5% | 44.9% |
| Forward P/E | 41.9x | 18.9x | 12.8x | 14.6x | 12.3x |
| Total Debt | $3.87B | $3.22B | $3.77B | $35M | $26.16B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $4M | $180M | $2M | $11M | $2.14B |
KNTK vs AM vs HESM vs DKL vs MPLX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinetik Holdings In… (KNTK) | 100 | 689.0 | +589.0% |
| Antero Midstream Co… (AM) | 100 | 437.7 | +337.7% |
| Hess Midstream LP (HESM) | 100 | 196.5 | +96.5% |
| Delek Logistics Par… (DKL) | 100 | 214.4 | +114.4% |
| MPLX Lp (MPLX) | 100 | 284.4 | +184.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KNTK vs AM vs HESM vs DKL vs MPLX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
KNTK is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 19.0%, EPS growth 157.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 13.3%
- 19.0% revenue growth vs AM's 7.0%
- 16.8% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs HESM's 7.5%
AM ranks third and is worth considering specifically for sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.11, current ratio 3.41x
- Beta 0.11, yield 4.4%, current ratio 3.41x
- Beta 0.11 vs KNTK's 0.50
HESM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability.
- Dividend streak 7 yrs, beta 0.22, yield 7.5%
DKL is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +47.9% vs HESM's +13.1%
MPLX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding.
- 180.5% 10Y total return vs DKL's 207.4%
- Lower P/E (12.3x vs 14.6x)
- 37.5% margin vs KNTK's 13.2%
- 11.3% ROA vs KNTK's 4.2%, ROIC 9.9% vs 1.9%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 19.0% revenue growth vs AM's 7.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (12.3x vs 14.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 37.5% margin vs KNTK's 13.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.11 vs KNTK's 0.50 | |
| Dividends | 16.8% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs HESM's 7.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +47.9% vs HESM's +13.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.3% ROA vs KNTK's 4.2%, ROIC 9.9% vs 1.9% |
KNTK vs AM vs HESM vs DKL vs MPLX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
KNTK vs AM vs HESM vs DKL vs MPLX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
HESM leads in 1 of 6 categories
DKL leads 1 • AM leads 1 • KNTK leads 0 • MPLX leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HESM leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MPLX is the larger business by revenue, generating $12.5B annually — 11.8x DKL's $1.1B. MPLX is the more profitable business, keeping 37.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to KNTK's 13.2%. On growth, DKL holds the edge at +19.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.7B | $1.3B | $1.6B | $1.1B | $12.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $534M | $951M | $1.2B | $310M | $7.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $228M | $411M | $353M | $170M | $4.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $255M | $916M | $585M | $112M | $5.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +27.7% | +64.5% | +75.0% | +19.2% | +60.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.2% | +57.6% | +62.2% | +16.5% | +44.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +31.9% | +21.8% | +16.0% | +37.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.8% | +71.2% | +36.1% | +10.6% | +39.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -7.5% | +8.6% | +2.3% | +19.0% | +5.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.4% | 0.0% | +5.9% | -17.8% | -17.3% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — KNTK and MPLX each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 11.2x trailing earnings, MPLX trades at a 54% valuation discount to AM's 24.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, DKL's 8.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AM's 15.3x.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.3B | $9.9B | $8.0B | $2.7B | $54.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.1B | $13.0B | $11.7B | $2.7B | $78.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 18.08x | 24.33x | 13.35x | 15.47x | 11.20x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 41.95x | 18.95x | 12.83x | 14.60x | 12.33x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | 0.79x | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.03x | 15.28x | 9.59x | 8.81x | 12.90x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.85x | 7.89x | 4.91x | 2.68x | 4.64x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.02x | 5.12x | 10.73x | 447.14x | 3.79x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 43.93x | 12.90x | 10.92x | — | 13.37x |
Profitability & Efficiency
DKL leads this category, winning 3 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DKL delivers a 19.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $19 in annual profit, vs $11 for KNTK. KNTK carries lower financial leverage with a 1.32x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HESM's 8.61x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AM scores 8/9 vs DKL's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.9% | +20.4% | +74.9% | +19.2% | +32.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.2% | +6.9% | +8.1% | +6.1% | +11.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.9% | +9.4% | +18.6% | +14.1% | +9.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.5% | +11.2% | +24.8% | +8.3% | +12.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.32x | 1.63x | 8.61x | 5.75x | 1.80x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.9B | $3.0B | $3.8B | $24M | $24.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $4M | $180M | $2M | $11M | $2.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.9B | $3.2B | $3.8B | $35M | $26.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.17x | 4.07x | 4.54x | 1.66x | 5.85x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AM leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AM five years ago would be worth $27,304 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $18,532 for DKL. Over the past 12 months, DKL leads with a +47.9% total return vs HESM's +13.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AM at 31.7% vs DKL's 13.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +34.8% | +19.1% | +14.6% | +13.4% | +4.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +19.7% | +22.5% | +13.1% | +47.9% | +18.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +90.8% | +128.2% | +64.1% | +45.6% | +92.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +89.8% | +173.0% | +127.7% | +85.3% | +151.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -34.5% | -14.7% | +122.5% | +207.4% | +180.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +24.0% | +31.7% | +18.0% | +13.3% | +24.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — KNTK and AM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AM is the less volatile stock with a 0.11 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KNTK's 0.50 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. KNTK currently trades 93.0% from its 52-week high vs HESM's 86.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.50x | 0.11x | 0.22x | 0.34x | 0.11x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $51.11 | $23.84 | $44.14 | $55.89 | $59.98 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $31.33 | $16.77 | $31.63 | $37.50 | $47.80 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.0% | +87.8% | +86.5% | +91.3% | +90.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 52.4 | 41.6 | 51.6 | 49.1 | 51.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 2.5M | 1.6M | 63K | 1.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — KNTK and HESM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: KNTK as "Buy", AM as "Hold", HESM as "Hold", DKL as "Hold", MPLX as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 11.5% upside for MPLX (target: $60) vs -16.2% for HESM (target: $32). For income investors, KNTK offers the higher dividend yield at 16.79% vs AM's 4.35%.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold | Hold | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $48.67 | $21.50 | $32.00 | $56.00 | $60.20 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 15 | 17 | 9 | 10 | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +16.8% | +4.4% | +7.5% | +8.7% | +7.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $7.98 | $0.91 | $2.84 | $4.45 | $3.94 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +5.4% | +1.4% | +5.0% | +0.4% | +0.7% |
HESM leads in 1 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow). DKL leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 3 tied.
KNTK vs AM vs HESM vs DKL vs MPLX: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Kinetik Holdings Inc.
(KNTK) is the stronger pick with 19. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 0% for Antero Midstream Corporation (AM). MPLX Lp (MPLX) offers the better valuation at 11. 2x trailing P/E (12. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Kinetik Holdings Inc. (KNTK) a "Buy" — based on 15 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 — KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX?
On trailing P/E, MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the cheapest at 11.
2x versus Antero Midstream Corporation at 24. 3x. On forward P/E, MPLX Lp is actually cheaper at 12. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX?
Over the past 5 years, Antero Midstream Corporation (AM) delivered a total return of +173.
0%, compared to +85. 3% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP (DKL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DKL returned +207. 4% versus KNTK's -34. 5%. 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 — KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Antero Midstream Corporation (AM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
11β versus Kinetik Holdings Inc. 's 0. 50β — meaning KNTK is approximately 374% more volatile than AM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kinetik Holdings Inc. (KNTK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 132% versus 9% for Hess Midstream LP — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Kinetik Holdings Inc.
(KNTK) is pulling ahead at 19. 0% versus 7. 0% for Antero Midstream Corporation (AM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Kinetik Holdings Inc. grew EPS 157. 8% year-over-year, compared to 3. 6% for Antero Midstream Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, KNTK leads at 13. 3% 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 — KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX?
MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the more profitable company, earning 41.
6% net margin versus 10. 1% for Kinetik Holdings Inc. — 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 9. 3% for KNTK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AM leads at 65. 3%, 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 KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, MPLX Lp (MPLX) trades at 12.
3x forward P/E versus 41. 9x for Kinetik Holdings Inc. — 29. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MPLX: 11. 5% to $60. 20.
08Which pays a better dividend — KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Kinetik Holdings Inc. (KNTK) offers the highest yield at 16. 8%, versus 4. 4% for Antero Midstream Corporation (AM).
09Is KNTK or AM or HESM or DKL or MPLX better for a retirement portfolio?
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.
11), 7. 3% yield, +180. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MPLX: +180. 5%, KNTK: -34. 5%), 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 KNTK and AM and HESM and DKL and MPLX?
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: KNTK is a small-cap high-growth stock; AM is a small-cap income-oriented stock; HESM is a small-cap deep-value stock; DKL is a small-cap deep-value stock; MPLX 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.
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