RRC vs CTRA

For growth investors, Range Resources Corporation (RRC) is the stronger pick with 27.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) offers the better valuation at 14. 5x trailing P/E (11. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) a "Buy" — based on 55 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, Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) is the cheapest at 14. 5x versus Range Resources Corporation at 15. 0x. On forward P/E, Range Resources Corporation is actually cheaper at 9. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Range Resources Corporation (RRC) delivered a total return of +279.

9%, compared to +128. 9% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CTRA returned +68. 7% versus RRC's +1. 7%. 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), Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 03β versus Range Resources Corporation's 0. 23β — meaning RRC is approximately 673% more volatile than CTRA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 27% versus 29% for Range Resources Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Range Resources Corporation (RRC) is pulling ahead at 27.

6% versus -49. 6% for Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Range Resources Corporation grew EPS 151. 4% year-over-year, compared to 49. 0% for Coterra Energy Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, RRC leads at -17. 5% 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 22. 0% for Range Resources Corporation — 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 27. 9% for RRC. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Range Resources Corporation (RRC) trades at 9.

6x forward P/E versus 11. 5x for Coterra Energy Inc. — 2. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for RRC: 13. 1% to $46. 57.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 0. 9% for Range Resources Corporation (RRC).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Coterra Energy Inc.

(CTRA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 03), 2. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CTRA: +68. 7%, RRC: +1. 7%), 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.

In terms of investment character: RRC is a small-cap high-growth 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.