Oil & Gas Midstream
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SMC vs DKL vs MPLX vs CAPL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Oil & Gas Midstream
Oil & Gas Midstream
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing
SMC vs DKL vs MPLX vs CAPL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing |
| Market Cap | $372M | $2.71B | $57.12B | $812M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $562M | $1.06B | $12.54B | $4.62B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $9M | $170M | $4.71B | $60M |
| Gross Margin | 72.6% | 19.2% | 60.0% | 8.5% |
| Operating Margin | 15.2% | 16.5% | 44.9% | 2.6% |
| Forward P/E | — | 13.8x | 12.7x | 49.5x |
| Total Debt | $1.05B | $35M | $26.16B | $908M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $9M | $11M | $2.14B | $3M |
SMC vs DKL vs MPLX vs CAPL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jul 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Midstream Co… (SMC) | 100 | 79.8 | -20.2% |
| Delek Logistics Par… (DKL) | 100 | 123.8 | +23.8% |
| MPLX Lp (MPLX) | 100 | 131.4 | +31.4% |
| CrossAmerica Partne… (CAPL) | 100 | 105.0 | +5.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SMC vs DKL vs MPLX vs CAPL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SMC is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 30.8%, EPS growth 87.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 15.0%
- 30.8% revenue growth vs CAPL's -10.6%
DKL is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 207.3% 10Y total return vs SMC's 279.2%
- +45.1% vs CAPL's +2.7%
MPLX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.18, current ratio 1.23x
- Lower P/E (12.7x vs 49.5x)
- 37.5% margin vs CAPL's 1.3%
- 11.3% ROA vs SMC's 0.4%, ROIC 9.9% vs 2.7%
CAPL is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and defensive is your priority.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.06, yield 9.9%
- Beta 0.06, yield 9.9%, current ratio 0.72x
- Beta 0.06 vs SMC's 0.63
- 9.9% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs DKL's 8.7%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 30.8% revenue growth vs CAPL's -10.6% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (12.7x vs 49.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 37.5% margin vs CAPL's 1.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.06 vs SMC's 0.63 | |
| Dividends | 9.9% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs DKL's 8.7% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +45.1% vs CAPL's +2.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.3% ROA vs SMC's 0.4%, ROIC 9.9% vs 2.7% |
SMC vs DKL vs MPLX vs CAPL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SMC vs DKL vs MPLX vs CAPL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
MPLX leads in 2 of 6 categories
SMC leads 1 • DKL leads 0 • CAPL leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MPLX leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MPLX is the larger business by revenue, generating $12.5B annually — 22.3x SMC's $562M. MPLX is the more profitable business, keeping 37.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CAPL's 1.3%. On growth, SMC holds the edge at +33.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $562M | $1.1B | $12.5B | $4.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $201M | $310M | $7.0B | $200M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $9M | $170M | $4.7B | $60M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$4M | $112M | $5.0B | $75M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +72.6% | +19.2% | +60.0% | +8.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +15.2% | +16.5% | +44.9% | +2.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +1.6% | +16.0% | +37.5% | +1.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -0.7% | +10.6% | +39.8% | +1.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +33.0% | +19.0% | +5.2% | -100.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +72.5% | -17.8% | -17.3% | +2.4% |
Valuation Metrics
SMC leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 11.7x trailing earnings, MPLX trades at a 40% valuation discount to CAPL's 19.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CAPL's 5.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MPLX's 13.3x.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $372M | $2.7B | $57.1B | $812M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.4B | $2.7B | $81.1B | $1.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -18.86x | 15.46x | 11.67x | 19.54x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 13.82x | 12.71x | 49.53x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.56x | 8.81x | 13.27x | 5.80x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.66x | 2.68x | 4.83x | 0.22x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.34x | 446.88x | 3.95x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.36x | — | 13.93x | 14.57x |
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — DKL and MPLX each lead in 3 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DKL delivers a 19.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $19 in annual profit, vs $1 for SMC. SMC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.97x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to DKL's 5.75x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MPLX scores 6/9 vs DKL's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +0.8% | +19.2% | +32.8% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.4% | +6.1% | +11.3% | +6.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.7% | +14.1% | +9.9% | +18.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.3% | +8.3% | +12.9% | +23.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.97x | 5.75x | 1.80x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.0B | $24M | $24.0B | $905M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $9M | $11M | $2.1B | $3M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.1B | $35M | $26.2B | $908M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.94x | 1.66x | 5.85x | 1.86x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MPLX leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MPLX five years ago would be worth $25,723 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,224 for SMC. Over the past 12 months, DKL leads with a +45.1% total return vs CAPL's +2.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MPLX at 25.1% vs SMC's -6.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +13.4% | +13.4% | +6.4% | +8.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +10.0% | +45.1% | +22.5% | +2.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -17.8% | +45.6% | +95.7% | +34.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -17.8% | +86.0% | +157.2% | +56.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +279.2% | +207.3% | +184.4% | +87.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -6.3% | +13.3% | +25.1% | +10.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MPLX and CAPL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CAPL is the less volatile stock with a 0.06 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SMC's 0.63 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MPLX currently trades 93.8% from its 52-week high vs CAPL's 90.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.63x | 0.35x | 0.18x | 0.06x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $33.50 | $55.89 | $59.98 | $23.62 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $19.13 | $37.50 | $47.80 | $19.61 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +90.7% | +91.3% | +93.8% | +90.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.4 | 50.0 | 46.5 | 41.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 67K | 64K | 1.8M | 50K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — DKL and CAPL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: DKL as "Hold", MPLX as "Buy", CAPL as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 54.8% upside for SMC (target: $47) vs 7.1% for MPLX (target: $60). For income investors, CAPL offers the higher dividend yield at 9.86% vs SMC's 3.63%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $47.00 | $56.00 | $60.25 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 10 | 28 | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.6% | +8.7% | +7.0% | +9.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.10 | $4.45 | $3.94 | $2.10 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.4% | +0.7% | 0.0% |
MPLX leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). SMC leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
SMC vs DKL vs MPLX vs CAPL: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Summit Midstream Corp.
(SMC) is the stronger pick with 30. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -10. 6% for CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL). MPLX Lp (MPLX) offers the better valuation at 11. 7x trailing P/E (12. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MPLX Lp (MPLX) a "Buy" — based on 28 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 — SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL?
On trailing P/E, MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the cheapest at 11.
7x versus CrossAmerica Partners LP at 19. 5x. On forward P/E, MPLX Lp is actually cheaper at 12. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL?
Over the past 5 years, MPLX Lp (MPLX) delivered a total return of +157.
2%, compared to -17. 8% for Summit Midstream Corp. (SMC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SMC returned +279. 2% versus CAPL's +87. 5%. 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 — SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
06β versus Summit Midstream Corp. 's 0. 63β — meaning SMC is approximately 1043% more volatile than CAPL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Summit Midstream Corp. (SMC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 97% versus 6% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Summit Midstream Corp.
(SMC) is pulling ahead at 30. 8% versus -10. 6% for CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CrossAmerica Partners LP grew EPS 109. 6% year-over-year, compared to 10. 4% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP. Over a 3-year CAGR, SMC leads at 15. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL?
MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the more profitable company, earning 41.
6% net margin versus -3. 5% for Summit Midstream Corp. — meaning it keeps 41. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MPLX leads at 40. 3% versus 5. 6% for CAPL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SMC leads at 72. 6%, 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 SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, MPLX Lp (MPLX) trades at 12.
7x forward P/E versus 49. 5x for CrossAmerica Partners LP — 36. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SMC: 54. 8% to $47. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL) offers the highest yield at 9. 9%, versus 3. 6% for Summit Midstream Corp. (SMC).
09Is SMC or DKL or MPLX or CAPL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
06), 9. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CAPL: +87. 5%, SMC: +279. 2%), 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 SMC and DKL and MPLX and CAPL?
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: SMC is a small-cap high-growth stock; DKL is a small-cap deep-value stock; MPLX is a mid-cap deep-value stock; CAPL is a small-cap income-oriented 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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