SM
SM Energy Company
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Market Cap$3.28B
5Y Perf.+711.1%
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Stock Comparison
SM vs MGY
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MGY
Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Market Cap$5.32B
5Y Perf.+416.2%
SM vs MGY — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SM | MGY |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production |
| Market Cap | $3.28B | $5.32B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.15B | $1.32B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $648M | $322M |
| Gross Margin | 31.9% | 33.2% |
| Operating Margin | 26.1% | 32.7% |
| Forward P/E | 4.3x | 10.5x |
| Total Debt | $2.30B | $420M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $368M | $267M |
SM vs MGY — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SM
MGY
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| SM Energy Company (SM) | 100 | 811.1 | +711.1% |
| Magnolia Oil & Gas … (MGY) | 100 | 516.2 | +416.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SM vs MGY
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SM leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
SM
SM Energy Company
The Income Pick
SM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 0.16, yield 2.8%
- Rev growth 18.1%, EPS growth -15.4%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.16, Low D/E 47.7%, current ratio 0.69x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
MGY
Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation
The Long-Run Compounder
MGY is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 208.8% 10Y total return vs SM's 118.0%
- 24.4% margin vs SM's 20.5%
- +40.7% vs SM's +36.5%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SM | 18.1% revenue growth vs MGY's -0.3% |
| Value | SM | Lower P/E (4.3x vs 10.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | MGY | 24.4% margin vs SM's 20.5% |
| Stability / Safety | SM | Beta 0.16 vs MGY's 0.24 |
| Dividends | SM | 2.8% yield, 4-year raise streak, vs MGY's 2.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MGY | +40.7% vs SM's +36.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MGY | 11.1% ROA vs SM's 7.2%, ROIC 15.4% vs 8.9% |
SM vs MGY — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
SM vs MGY — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMGYLAGGINGSM
SMSM Energy Company
1leads
MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Co…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MGY6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
SM6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MGY8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MGY5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MGY leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SM is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.2B annually — 2.4x MGY's $1.3B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 24.4% (MGY) to 20.5% (SM). On growth, MGY holds the edge at +2.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | SMSM Energy Company | MGYMagnolia Oil & Ga… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.2B | $1.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.0B | $878M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $648M | $322M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$241M | $396M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +31.9% | +33.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +26.1% | +32.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +20.5% | +24.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -7.7% | +30.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -14.1% | +2.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -41.7% | 0.0% |
MGY leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
SM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.1x trailing earnings, SM trades at a 69% valuation discount to MGY's 16.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SM's 2.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MGY's 6.2x.
| Metric | SMSM Energy Company | MGYMagnolia Oil & Ga… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.3B | $5.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.2B | $5.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 5.06x | 16.37x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 4.34x | 10.50x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.22x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 2.57x | 6.19x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.04x | 4.05x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.68x | 2.66x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 5.73x | 13.00x |
SM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MGY leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MGY delivers a 21.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $14 for SM. MGY carries lower financial leverage with a 0.21x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SM's 0.48x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SM scores 7/9 vs MGY's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | SMSM Energy Company | MGYMagnolia Oil & Ga… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +14.0% | +21.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.2% | +11.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.9% | +15.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.4% | +17.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.48x | 0.21x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.9B | $153M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $368M | $267M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.3B | $420M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.92x | 29.15x |
MGY leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MGY leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MGY five years ago would be worth $25,729 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $18,422 for SM. Over the past 12 months, MGY leads with a +40.7% total return vs SM's +36.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MGY at 15.0% vs SM's 5.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SMSM Energy Company | MGYMagnolia Oil & Ga… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +50.4% | +28.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +36.5% | +40.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +16.7% | +52.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +84.2% | +157.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +118.0% | +208.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +5.3% | +15.0% |
MGY leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SM and MGY each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SM is the less volatile stock with a 0.16 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MGY's 0.24 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | SMSM Energy Company | MGYMagnolia Oil & Ga… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.16x | 0.24x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $33.25 | $32.76 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $17.45 | $20.45 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.9% | +87.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.5 | 59.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5.9M | 2.5M |
Evenly matched — SM and MGY each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — SM and MGY each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SM as "Buy" and MGY as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 1.6% upside for MGY (target: $29) vs 1.6% for SM (target: $29). For income investors, SM offers the higher dividend yield at 2.80% vs MGY's 2.13%.
| Metric | SMSM Energy Company | MGYMagnolia Oil & Ga… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $29.00 | $29.11 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 54 | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.8% | +2.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.80 | $0.61 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.4% | +3.9% |
Evenly matched — SM and MGY each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MGY leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SM leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallMagnolia Oil & Gas Corporat… (MGY)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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SM vs MGY: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SM or MGY a better buy right now?
For growth investors, SM Energy Company (SM) is the stronger pick with 18.
1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 3% for Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (MGY). SM Energy Company (SM) offers the better valuation at 5. 1x trailing P/E (4. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SM Energy Company (SM) a "Buy" — based on 54 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 — SM or MGY?
On trailing P/E, SM Energy Company (SM) is the cheapest at 5.
1x versus Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation at 16. 4x. On forward P/E, SM Energy Company is actually cheaper at 4. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SM or MGY?
Over the past 5 years, Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (MGY) delivered a total return of +157.
3%, compared to +84. 2% for SM Energy Company (SM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MGY returned +208. 8% versus SM's +118. 0%. 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 — SM or MGY?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), SM Energy Company (SM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
16β versus Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation's 0. 24β — meaning MGY is approximately 45% more volatile than SM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (MGY) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 48% for SM Energy Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SM or MGY?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), SM Energy Company (SM) is pulling ahead at 18.
1% versus -0. 3% for Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (MGY). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation grew EPS -9. 8% year-over-year, compared to -15. 4% for SM Energy Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, SM leads at -1. 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 — SM or MGY?
Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (MGY) is the more profitable company, earning 24.
8% net margin versus 20. 5% for SM Energy Company — meaning it keeps 24. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MGY leads at 33. 5% versus 26. 1% for SM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MGY leads at 46. 7%, 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 SM or MGY more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, SM Energy Company (SM) trades at 4.
3x forward P/E versus 10. 5x for Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation — 6. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MGY: 1. 6% to $29. 11.
08Which pays a better dividend — SM or MGY?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
SM Energy Company (SM) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 2. 1% for Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (MGY).
09Is SM or MGY better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, SM Energy Company (SM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
16), 2. 8% yield, +118. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SM: +118. 0%, MGY: +208. 8%), 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 SM and MGY?
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: SM is a small-cap high-growth stock; MGY 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(SM: -14.1% · MGY: 2.3%)Net Margin>
%
(SM: 20.5% · MGY: 24.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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