MXC vs FANG vs JPM vs MTDR vs CTRA

For growth investors, Diamondback Energy, Inc.

(FANG) is the stronger pick with 36. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). Matador Resources Company (MTDR) offers the better valuation at 8. 1x trailing P/E (6. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Diamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG) a "Buy" — based on 51 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 trailing P/E, Matador Resources Company (MTDR) is the cheapest at 8.

1x versus Diamondback Energy, Inc. at 32. 0x. On forward P/E, Matador Resources Company is actually cheaper at 6. 4x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Coterra Energy Inc. wins at 0. 32x versus JPMorgan Chase & Co. 's 0. 83x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) delivered a total return of +154. 9%, compared to +4. 8% for Mexco Energy Corporation (MXC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: JPM returned +481. 2% versus CTRA's +61. 1%. 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), Mexco Energy Corporation (MXC) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

87β versus JPMorgan Chase & Co. 's 0. 87β — meaning JPM is approximately -199% more volatile than MXC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Mexco Energy Corporation (MXC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 3% for JPMorgan Chase & Co. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Diamondback Energy, Inc.

(FANG) is pulling ahead at 36. 3% versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Coterra Energy Inc. grew EPS 49. 0% year-over-year, compared to -63. 1% for Diamondback Energy, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FANG leads at 16. 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.

Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) is the more profitable company, earning 62. 4% net margin versus 11. 1% for Diamondback Energy, Inc. — meaning it keeps 62. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CTRA leads at 89. 1% versus 26. 0% for JPM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CTRA leads at 60. 4%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 32x versus JPMorgan Chase & Co. 's 0. 83x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Matador Resources Company (MTDR) trades at 6. 4x forward P/E versus 14. 6x for JPMorgan Chase & Co. — 8. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MTDR: 45. 3% to $72. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 1. 3% for Mexco Energy Corporation (MXC).

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

87), 1. 3% yield, +207. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MXC: +207. 8%, JPM: +481. 2%), 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 (MXC (Energy) and FANG (Energy) and JPM (Financial Services) and MTDR (Energy) and CTRA (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: MXC is a small-cap deep-value stock; FANG is a mid-cap high-growth stock; JPM is a large-cap deep-value stock; MTDR is a small-cap deep-value stock; CTRA 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.