Regulated Gas
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NFE vs LNG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Midstream
NFE vs LNG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Regulated Gas | Oil & Gas Midstream |
| Market Cap | $209M | $51.94B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.50B | $20.27B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-1.84B | $1.48B |
| Gross Margin | 20.6% | 27.2% |
| Operating Margin | -34.4% | 4.8% |
| Forward P/E | — | 16.6x |
| Total Debt | $8.57B | $28.61B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $357M | $1.58B |
NFE vs LNG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Fortress Energy… (NFE) | 100 | 5.3 | -94.7% |
| Cheniere Energy, In… (LNG) | 100 | 557.3 | +457.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NFE vs LNG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
NFE is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.54, yield 1.7%
- Beta 1.54, yield 1.7%, current ratio 0.15x
- 1.7% yield, vs LNG's 0.8%
LNG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 24.4%, EPS growth 69.9%, 3Y rev CAGR -16.5%
- 6.9% 10Y total return vs NFE's -58.5%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.33, current ratio 0.94x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 24.4% revenue growth vs NFE's -36.4% | |
| Quality / Margins | 7.3% margin vs NFE's -122.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (218.8% vs 27.7%) | |
| Dividends | 1.7% yield, vs LNG's 0.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +4.4% vs NFE's -87.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.2% ROA vs NFE's -15.5%, ROIC 10.9% vs -1.3% |
NFE vs LNG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
NFE vs LNG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LNG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LNG is the larger business by revenue, generating $20.3B annually — 13.5x NFE's $1.5B. LNG is the more profitable business, keeping 7.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NFE's -122.6%. On growth, LNG holds the edge at +10.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.5B | $20.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$274M | $2.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$1.8B | $1.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$122M | $5.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +20.6% | +27.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -34.4% | +4.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -122.6% | +7.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -8.1% | +26.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -40.4% | +10.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -150.5% | -11.6% |
Valuation Metrics
NFE leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, LNG's 10.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NFE's 117.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $209M | $51.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $8.4B | $79.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.11x | 10.24x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 16.58x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 117.42x | 10.88x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.14x | 2.65x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.66x | 4.16x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 21.10x |
Profitability & Efficiency
LNG leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LNG delivers a 14.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $-158 for NFE. LNG carries lower financial leverage with a 2.19x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NFE's 27.68x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LNG scores 7/9 vs NFE's 1/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -158.3% | +14.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -15.5% | +3.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.3% | +10.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -2.6% | +12.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 1 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 27.68x | 2.19x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $8.2B | $27.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $357M | $1.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $8.6B | $28.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.22x | 17.70x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LNG leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LNG five years ago would be worth $30,841 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,218 for NFE. Over the past 12 months, LNG leads with a +4.4% total return vs NFE's -87.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LNG at 19.1% vs NFE's -64.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -34.2% | +25.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -87.7% | +4.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.7% | +69.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -87.8% | +208.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -58.5% | +692.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -64.9% | +19.1% |
Risk & Volatility
LNG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LNG is the less volatile stock with a -0.33 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NFE's 1.54 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LNG currently trades 82.1% from its 52-week high vs NFE's 9.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.54x | -0.33x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $7.37 | $300.89 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.56 | $186.70 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +9.9% | +82.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.1 | 46.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 13.6M | 3.3M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — NFE and LNG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NFE as "Buy" and LNG as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 1988.8% upside for NFE (target: $15) vs 7.4% for LNG (target: $265). For income investors, NFE offers the higher dividend yield at 1.71% vs LNG's 0.83%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.25 | $265.38 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 16 | 27 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.7% | +0.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.01 | $2.05 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +5.2% |
LNG leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). NFE leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
NFE vs LNG: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NFE or LNG a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Cheniere Energy, Inc.
(LNG) is the stronger pick with 24. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -36. 4% for New Fortress Energy Inc. (NFE). Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) offers the better valuation at 10. 2x trailing P/E (16. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate New Fortress Energy Inc. (NFE) a "Buy" — based on 16 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 is the better long-term investment — NFE or LNG?
Over the past 5 years, Cheniere Energy, Inc.
(LNG) delivered a total return of +208. 4%, compared to -87. 8% for New Fortress Energy Inc. (NFE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LNG returned +692. 8% versus NFE's -58. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — NFE or LNG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cheniere Energy, Inc.
(LNG) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 33β versus New Fortress Energy Inc. 's 1. 54β — meaning NFE is approximately -568% more volatile than LNG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 28% for New Fortress Energy Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — NFE or LNG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Cheniere Energy, Inc.
(LNG) is pulling ahead at 24. 4% versus -36. 4% for New Fortress Energy Inc. (NFE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cheniere Energy, Inc. grew EPS 69. 9% year-over-year, compared to -430. 4% for New Fortress Energy Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NFE leads at -14. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — NFE or LNG?
Cheniere Energy, Inc.
(LNG) is the more profitable company, earning 27. 1% net margin versus -122. 6% for New Fortress Energy Inc. — meaning it keeps 27. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LNG leads at 27. 0% versus -11. 3% for NFE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LNG leads at 29. 0%, 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.
06Is NFE or LNG more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NFE: 1988.
8% to $15. 25.
07Which pays a better dividend — NFE or LNG?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
New Fortress Energy Inc. (NFE) offers the highest yield at 1. 7%, versus 0. 8% for Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG).
08Is NFE or LNG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Cheniere Energy, Inc.
(LNG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 33), 0. 8% yield, +692. 8% 10Y return). New Fortress Energy Inc. (NFE) carries a higher beta of 1. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LNG: +692. 8%, NFE: -58. 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.
09What are the main differences between NFE and LNG?
These companies operate in different sectors (NFE (Utilities) and LNG (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: NFE is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LNG is a mid-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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