Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
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MTDR vs SM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
MTDR vs SM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production |
| Market Cap | $7.18B | $3.28B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.36B | $3.15B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $483M | $648M |
| Gross Margin | 102.0% | 31.9% |
| Operating Margin | 26.3% | 26.1% |
| Forward P/E | 8.0x | 4.3x |
| Total Debt | $3.55B | $2.30B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $79M | $368M |
MTDR vs SM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matador Resources C… (MTDR) | 100 | 736.7 | +636.7% |
| SM Energy Company (SM) | 100 | 811.1 | +711.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MTDR vs SM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MTDR is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.06, yield 2.3%
- Rev growth 5.1%, EPS growth -14.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.1%
- 205.6% 10Y total return vs SM's 118.0%
SM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth and value.
- 18.1% revenue growth vs MTDR's 5.1%
- Lower P/E (4.3x vs 8.0x)
- 20.5% margin vs MTDR's 14.4%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 18.1% revenue growth vs MTDR's 5.1% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (4.3x vs 8.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 20.5% margin vs MTDR's 14.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.06 vs SM's 0.16 | |
| Dividends | 2.8% yield, 4-year raise streak, vs MTDR's 2.3% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +46.6% vs SM's +36.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 7.2% ROA vs MTDR's 4.1%, ROIC 8.9% vs 10.5% |
MTDR vs SM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
MTDR vs SM — 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 — MTDR and SM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MTDR and SM operate at a comparable scale, with $3.4B and $3.2B in trailing revenue. SM is the more profitable business, keeping 20.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MTDR's 14.4%. On growth, SM holds the edge at -14.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.4B | $3.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.1B | $2.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $483M | $648M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $518M | -$241M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +102.0% | +31.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +26.3% | +26.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +14.4% | +20.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +15.4% | -7.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -33.2% | -14.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -115.1% | -41.7% |
Valuation Metrics
SM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.1x trailing earnings, SM trades at a 47% valuation discount to MTDR's 9.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SM's 2.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MTDR's 4.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.2B | $3.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $10.6B | $5.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 9.48x | 5.06x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.03x | 4.34x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 4.45x | 2.57x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.96x | 1.04x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.20x | 0.68x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 29.70x | 5.73x |
Profitability & Efficiency
SM leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SM delivers a 14.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $8 for MTDR. SM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.48x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MTDR's 0.59x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SM scores 7/9 vs MTDR's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.2% | +14.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.1% | +7.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.5% | +8.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.5% | +10.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.59x | 0.48x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.5B | $1.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $79M | $368M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.5B | $2.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 7.88x | 2.92x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MTDR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MTDR five years ago would be worth $21,847 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $18,422 for SM. Over the past 12 months, MTDR leads with a +46.6% total return vs SM's +36.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MTDR at 10.5% vs SM's 5.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +34.1% | +50.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +46.6% | +36.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +34.8% | +16.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +118.5% | +84.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +205.6% | +118.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +10.5% | +5.3% |
Risk & Volatility
MTDR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MTDR is the less volatile stock with a 0.06 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SM's 0.16 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.06x | 0.16x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $66.84 | $33.25 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $37.14 | $17.45 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +86.4% | +85.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.0 | 60.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.8M | 5.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — MTDR and SM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MTDR as "Buy" and SM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 18.2% upside for MTDR (target: $68) vs 1.6% for SM (target: $29). For income investors, SM offers the higher dividend yield at 2.80% vs MTDR's 2.27%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $68.29 | $29.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 42 | 54 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.3% | +2.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.31 | $0.80 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.8% | +0.4% |
SM leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). MTDR leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 2 tied.
MTDR vs SM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MTDR or SM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, SM Energy Company (SM) is the stronger pick with 18.
1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 1% for Matador Resources Company (MTDR). SM Energy Company (SM) offers the better valuation at 5. 1x trailing P/E (4. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Matador Resources Company (MTDR) a "Buy" — based on 42 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 — MTDR or SM?
On trailing P/E, SM Energy Company (SM) is the cheapest at 5.
1x versus Matador Resources Company at 9. 5x. On forward P/E, SM Energy Company is actually cheaper at 4. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MTDR or SM?
Over the past 5 years, Matador Resources Company (MTDR) delivered a total return of +118.
5%, compared to +84. 2% for SM Energy Company (SM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MTDR returned +205. 6% versus SM's +118. 0%. 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 — MTDR or SM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Matador Resources Company (MTDR) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
06β versus SM Energy Company's 0. 16β — meaning SM is approximately 165% more volatile than MTDR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, SM Energy Company (SM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 48% versus 59% for Matador Resources Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MTDR or SM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), SM Energy Company (SM) is pulling ahead at 18.
1% versus 5. 1% for Matador Resources Company (MTDR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Matador Resources Company grew EPS -14. 7% year-over-year, compared to -15. 4% for SM Energy Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, MTDR 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.
06Which has better profit margins — MTDR or SM?
Matador Resources Company (MTDR) is the more profitable company, earning 20.
8% net margin versus 20. 5% for SM Energy Company — meaning it keeps 20. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MTDR leads at 32. 5% versus 26. 1% for SM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MTDR leads at 43. 7%, 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 MTDR or SM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, SM Energy Company (SM) trades at 4.
3x forward P/E versus 8. 0x for Matador Resources Company — 3. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MTDR: 18. 2% to $68. 29.
08Which pays a better dividend — MTDR or SM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
SM Energy Company (SM) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 2. 3% for Matador Resources Company (MTDR).
09Is MTDR or SM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Matador Resources Company (MTDR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
06), 2. 3% yield, +205. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MTDR: +205. 6%, SM: +118. 0%), 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 MTDR and SM?
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: MTDR is a small-cap deep-value stock; SM is a small-cap high-growth 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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