Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing
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MPC vs PBF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing
MPC vs PBF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing | Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing |
| Market Cap | $72.38B | $4.88B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $135.75B | $29.33B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $4.63B | $-159M |
| Gross Margin | 8.8% | -1.9% |
| Operating Margin | 5.0% | -0.2% |
| Forward P/E | 11.1x | 7.5x |
| Total Debt | $34.36B | $2.90B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $3.67B | $528M |
MPC vs PBF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon Petroleum … (MPC) | 100 | 699.4 | +599.4% |
| PBF Energy Inc. (PBF) | 100 | 391.6 | +291.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MPC vs PBF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MPC is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -4.4%, EPS growth 31.5%, 3Y rev CAGR -9.2%
- 6.5% 10Y total return vs PBF's 68.4%
- -4.4% revenue growth vs PBF's -11.4%
PBF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.13, yield 2.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.13, Low D/E 53.2%, current ratio 1.21x
- Beta 0.13, yield 2.6%, current ratio 1.21x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -4.4% revenue growth vs PBF's -11.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (7.5x vs 11.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 3.4% margin vs PBF's -0.5% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.13 vs MPC's 0.30, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 2.6% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs MPC's 1.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +127.8% vs MPC's +72.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 5.5% ROA vs PBF's -1.2%, ROIC 8.3% vs -0.5% |
MPC vs PBF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
MPC vs PBF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MPC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MPC is the larger business by revenue, generating $135.8B annually — 4.6x PBF's $29.3B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 3.4% (MPC) to -0.5% (PBF). On growth, MPC holds the edge at +9.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $135.8B | $29.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $10.1B | $600M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $4.6B | -$159M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $5.7B | -$783M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +8.8% | -1.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +5.0% | -0.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.4% | -0.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.2% | -2.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.7% | -2.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.2% | +126.2% |
Valuation Metrics
PBF leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, MPC's 11.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PBF's 11.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $72.4B | $4.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $103.1B | $7.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 18.52x | -29.92x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 11.07x | 7.54x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.43x | 11.93x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.55x | 0.17x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.11x | 0.88x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 15.18x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
MPC leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MPC delivers a 19.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $20 in annual profit, vs $-3 for PBF. PBF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.53x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MPC's 1.43x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MPC scores 7/9 vs PBF's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +19.6% | -3.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.5% | -1.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.3% | -0.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.3% | -0.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.43x | 0.53x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $30.7B | $2.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $3.7B | $528M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $34.4B | $2.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 6.36x | -3.01x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MPC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MPC five years ago would be worth $43,929 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $27,958 for PBF. Over the past 12 months, PBF leads with a +127.8% total return vs MPC's +72.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MPC at 33.1% vs PBF's 10.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +49.4% | +46.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +72.7% | +127.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +135.7% | +36.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +339.3% | +179.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +654.2% | +68.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +33.1% | +10.9% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MPC and PBF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PBF is the less volatile stock with a 0.13 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MPC's 0.30 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MPC currently trades 93.9% from its 52-week high vs PBF's 79.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.30x | 0.13x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $261.61 | $52.18 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $141.91 | $17.53 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.9% | +79.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 72.0 | 61.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.5M | 3.7M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — MPC and PBF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MPC as "Buy" and PBF as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply -8.6% upside for PBF (target: $38) vs -12.6% for MPC (target: $215). For income investors, PBF offers the higher dividend yield at 2.65% vs MPC's 1.52%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $214.78 | $38.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.5% | +2.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.74 | $1.10 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.8% | 0.0% |
MPC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). PBF leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
MPC vs PBF: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MPC or PBF a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is the stronger pick with -4.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -11. 4% for PBF Energy Inc. (PBF). Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) offers the better valuation at 18. 5x trailing P/E (11. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) a "Buy" — based on 33 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 — MPC or PBF?
On forward P/E, PBF Energy Inc.
is actually cheaper at 7. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MPC or PBF?
Over the past 5 years, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) delivered a total return of +339.
3%, compared to +179. 6% for PBF Energy Inc. (PBF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MPC returned +654. 2% versus PBF's +68. 4%. 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 — MPC or PBF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), PBF Energy Inc.
(PBF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 13β versus Marathon Petroleum Corporation's 0. 30β — meaning MPC is approximately 136% more volatile than PBF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, PBF Energy Inc. (PBF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 53% versus 143% for Marathon Petroleum Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MPC or PBF?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is pulling ahead at -4.
4% versus -11. 4% for PBF Energy Inc. (PBF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PBF Energy Inc. grew EPS 69. 8% year-over-year, compared to 31. 5% for Marathon Petroleum Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, MPC leads at -9. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — MPC or PBF?
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is the more profitable company, earning 3.
0% net margin versus -0. 5% for PBF Energy Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MPC leads at 4. 3% versus -0. 2% for PBF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MPC leads at 7. 5%, 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 MPC or PBF more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, PBF Energy Inc.
(PBF) trades at 7. 5x forward P/E versus 11. 1x for Marathon Petroleum Corporation — 3. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PBF: -8. 6% to $38. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — MPC or PBF?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
PBF Energy Inc. (PBF) offers the highest yield at 2. 6%, versus 1. 5% for Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC).
09Is MPC or PBF better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
30), 1. 5% yield, +654. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MPC: +654. 2%, PBF: +68. 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.
10What are the main differences between MPC and PBF?
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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