PBF vs CVI

For growth investors, CVR Energy, Inc.

(CVI) is the stronger pick with -5. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -11. 4% for PBF Energy Inc. (PBF). CVR Energy, Inc. (CVI) offers the better valuation at 121. 4x trailing P/E (35. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PBF Energy Inc. (PBF) a "Hold" — based on 26 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 forward P/E, PBF Energy Inc.

is actually cheaper at 7. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, PBF Energy Inc.

(PBF) delivered a total return of +179. 6%, compared to +161. 3% for CVR Energy, Inc. (CVI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CVI returned +250. 3% 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.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CVR Energy, Inc.

(CVI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 11β versus PBF Energy Inc. 's 0. 13β — meaning PBF is approximately 16% more volatile than CVI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, PBF Energy Inc. (PBF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 53% versus 2% for CVR Energy, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(CVI) is pulling ahead at -5. 9% versus -11. 4% for PBF Energy Inc. (PBF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CVR Energy, Inc. grew EPS 287. 4% year-over-year, compared to 69. 8% for PBF Energy Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CVI leads at -13. 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.

CVR Energy, Inc.

(CVI) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 4% net margin versus -0. 5% for PBF Energy Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CVI leads at 2. 3% versus -0. 2% for PBF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CVI leads at 4. 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.

On forward earnings alone, PBF Energy Inc.

(PBF) trades at 7. 5x forward P/E versus 35. 5x for CVR Energy, Inc. — 28. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CVI: -8. 5% to $30. 00.

In this comparison, PBF (2.

6% yield) pays a dividend. CVI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, PBF Energy Inc.

(PBF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 13), 2. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PBF: +68. 4%, CVI: +250. 3%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

PBF pays a dividend while CVI does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.