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4 / 10Stock Comparison
SFL vs TK vs FRO vs INSW
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Midstream
Oil & Gas Midstream
Oil & Gas Midstream
SFL vs TK vs FRO vs INSW — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Marine Shipping | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream |
| Market Cap | $1.58B | $1.18B | $8.48B | $4.46B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $720M | $993M | $1.77B | $676M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-26M | $79M | $218M | $546M |
| Gross Margin | 33.2% | 28.1% | 26.5% | 40.6% |
| Operating Margin | 23.7% | 24.8% | 25.5% | 44.4% |
| Forward P/E | 351.3x | 64.0x | 6.0x | 8.5x |
| Total Debt | $2.57B | $66M | $3.75B | $576M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $151M | $685M | $414M | $117M |
SFL vs TK vs FRO vs INSW — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| SFL Corporation Ltd. (SFL) | 100 | 120.1 | +20.1% |
| Teekay Corporation (TK) | 100 | 480.9 | +380.9% |
| Frontline Ltd. (FRO) | 100 | 417.3 | +317.3% |
| International Seawa… (INSW) | 100 | 397.6 | +297.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SFL vs TK vs FRO vs INSW
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SFL is the clearest fit if your priority is dividends.
- 7.9% yield, vs TK's 6.5%
TK is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.38, yield 6.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.38, Low D/E 3.4%, current ratio 6.99x
- Beta 0.38, yield 6.5%, current ratio 6.99x
FRO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 13.8%, EPS growth -24.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 39.9%
- 13.8% revenue growth vs SFL's -19.3%
- Lower P/E (6.0x vs 8.5x)
- Beta 0.36 vs SFL's 0.67, lower leverage
INSW is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if long-term compounding is your priority.
- 10.1% 10Y total return vs FRO's 5.1%
- 80.8% margin vs SFL's -3.7%
- +160.2% vs SFL's +55.1%
- 20.1% ROA vs SFL's -0.7%, ROIC 9.4% vs 2.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 13.8% revenue growth vs SFL's -19.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (6.0x vs 8.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 80.8% margin vs SFL's -3.7% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.36 vs SFL's 0.67, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 7.9% yield, vs TK's 6.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +160.2% vs SFL's +55.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 20.1% ROA vs SFL's -0.7%, ROIC 9.4% vs 2.8% |
SFL vs TK vs FRO vs INSW — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
SFL vs TK vs FRO vs INSW — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
INSW leads in 2 of 6 categories
TK leads 2 • SFL leads 0 • FRO leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
INSW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FRO is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.8B annually — 2.6x INSW's $676M. INSW is the more profitable business, keeping 80.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SFL's -3.7%. On growth, FRO holds the edge at -11.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $720M | $993M | $1.8B | $676M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $414M | $334M | $781M | $465M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$26M | $79M | $218M | $546M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $220M | $241M | $557M | $193M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +33.2% | +28.1% | +26.5% | +40.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.7% | +24.8% | +25.5% | +44.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -3.7% | +7.9% | +12.3% | +80.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +30.5% | +24.2% | +31.5% | +28.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -24.1% | -29.0% | -11.8% | -91.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -123.3% | -2.4% | -33.3% | +4.8% |
Valuation Metrics
TK leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 9.9x trailing earnings, TK trades at a 42% valuation discount to FRO's 17.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, TK's 1.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than FRO's 10.5x.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.6B | $1.2B | $8.5B | $4.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.0B | $565M | $11.8B | $4.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -59.55x | 9.92x | 17.09x | 14.48x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 351.33x | 64.05x | 5.99x | 8.52x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | 0.73x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.52x | 1.23x | 10.54x | 10.48x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.20x | 0.97x | 4.14x | 5.29x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.65x | 0.68x | 3.62x | 2.21x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 7.20x | 3.02x | — | 117.08x |
Profitability & Efficiency
TK leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
INSW delivers a 27.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $27 in annual profit, vs $-3 for SFL. TK carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SFL's 2.67x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TK scores 6/9 vs SFL's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.8% | +4.0% | +9.4% | +27.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.7% | +3.5% | +3.8% | +20.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.8% | +19.1% | +10.6% | +9.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.4% | +18.1% | +14.1% | +12.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.67x | 0.03x | 1.60x | 0.29x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.4B | -$620M | $3.3B | $459M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $151M | $685M | $414M | $117M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.6B | $66M | $3.7B | $576M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.18x | 69.29x | 1.87x | 0.90x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
INSW leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FRO five years ago would be worth $56,570 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $20,259 for SFL. Over the past 12 months, INSW leads with a +160.2% total return vs SFL's +55.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TK at 51.1% vs SFL's 18.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +53.5% | +59.8% | +90.1% | +96.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +55.1% | +91.5% | +132.3% | +160.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +67.6% | +244.7% | +203.4% | +179.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +102.6% | +412.3% | +465.7% | +438.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +56.4% | +97.1% | +513.5% | +1014.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +18.8% | +51.1% | +44.8% | +40.9% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SFL and FRO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FRO is the less volatile stock with a 0.36 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SFL's 0.67 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SFL currently trades 99.5% from its 52-week high vs FRO's 95.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.67x | 0.38x | 0.36x | 0.43x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $11.96 | $14.22 | $39.89 | $91.58 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.73 | $7.12 | $16.25 | $35.60 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.5% | +99.1% | +95.5% | +98.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 71.8 | 60.2 | 61.4 | 67.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.3M | 513K | 4.0M | 597K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — SFL and TK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: SFL as "Hold", TK as "Buy", FRO as "Hold", INSW as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 21.7% upside for SFL (target: $15) vs -7.6% for INSW (target: $83). For income investors, SFL offers the higher dividend yield at 7.89% vs INSW's 3.23%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $14.50 | — | $38.50 | $83.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 9 | 14 | 22 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +7.9% | +6.5% | +5.1% | +3.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.94 | $0.91 | $1.95 | $2.92 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.6% | +9.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
INSW leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). TK leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
SFL vs TK vs FRO vs INSW: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SFL or TK or FRO or INSW a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Frontline Ltd.
(FRO) is the stronger pick with 13. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -19. 3% for SFL Corporation Ltd. (SFL). Teekay Corporation (TK) offers the better valuation at 9. 9x trailing P/E (64. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Teekay Corporation (TK) a "Buy" — based on 14 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 — SFL or TK or FRO or INSW?
On trailing P/E, Teekay Corporation (TK) is the cheapest at 9.
9x versus Frontline Ltd. at 17. 1x. On forward P/E, Frontline Ltd. is actually cheaper at 6. 0x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SFL or TK or FRO or INSW?
Over the past 5 years, Frontline Ltd.
(FRO) delivered a total return of +465. 7%, compared to +102. 6% for SFL Corporation Ltd. (SFL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: INSW returned +1015% versus SFL's +56. 4%. 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 — SFL or TK or FRO or INSW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Frontline Ltd.
(FRO) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 36β versus SFL Corporation Ltd. 's 0. 67β — meaning SFL is approximately 88% more volatile than FRO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Teekay Corporation (TK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 3% for SFL Corporation Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SFL or TK or FRO or INSW?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Frontline Ltd.
(FRO) is pulling ahead at 13. 8% versus -19. 3% for SFL Corporation Ltd. (SFL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Teekay Corporation grew EPS -7. 8% year-over-year, compared to -119. 8% for SFL Corporation Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FRO leads at 39. 9% 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 — SFL or TK or FRO or INSW?
International Seaways, Inc.
(INSW) is the more profitable company, earning 36. 7% net margin versus -3. 7% for SFL Corporation Ltd. — meaning it keeps 36. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FRO leads at 38. 1% versus 19. 0% for SFL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SFL leads at 58. 1%, 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 SFL or TK or FRO or INSW more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Frontline Ltd.
(FRO) trades at 6. 0x forward P/E versus 351. 3x for SFL Corporation Ltd. — 345. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SFL: 21. 7% to $14. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — SFL or TK or FRO or INSW?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
SFL Corporation Ltd. (SFL) offers the highest yield at 7. 9%, versus 3. 2% for International Seaways, Inc. (INSW).
09Is SFL or TK or FRO or INSW better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, International Seaways, Inc.
(INSW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 43), 3. 2% yield, +1015% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (INSW: +1015%, SFL: +56. 4%), 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 SFL and TK and FRO and INSW?
These companies operate in different sectors (SFL (Industrials) and TK (Energy) and FRO (Energy) and INSW (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: SFL is a small-cap income-oriented stock; TK is a small-cap deep-value stock; FRO is a small-cap deep-value stock; INSW is a small-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.
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