SUN vs CAPL

For growth investors, Sunoco LP (SUN) is the stronger pick with 11.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -10. 6% for CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL). Sunoco LP (SUN) offers the better valuation at 18. 3x trailing P/E (9. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Sunoco LP (SUN) a "Hold" — based on 24 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, Sunoco LP (SUN) is the cheapest at 18.

3x versus CrossAmerica Partners LP at 19. 0x. On forward P/E, Sunoco LP is actually cheaper at 9. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, Sunoco LP (SUN) delivered a total return of +133.

9%, compared to +55. 1% for CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SUN returned +201. 8% versus CAPL's +87. 2%. 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), CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

06β versus Sunoco LP's 0. 13β — meaning SUN is approximately 128% more volatile than CAPL relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Sunoco LP (SUN) is pulling ahead at 11.

1% 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 -39. 0% for Sunoco LP. Over a 3-year CAGR, SUN leads at -0. 7% 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.

Sunoco LP (SUN) is the more profitable company, earning 2.

1% net margin versus 1. 1% for CrossAmerica Partners LP — meaning it keeps 2. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CAPL leads at 5. 6% versus 3. 7% for SUN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CAPL leads at 9. 2%, 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, Sunoco LP (SUN) trades at 9.

3x forward P/E versus 48. 2x for CrossAmerica Partners LP — 38. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL) offers the highest yield at 10. 1%, versus 7. 2% for Sunoco LP (SUN).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Sunoco LP (SUN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

13), 7. 2% yield, +201. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SUN: +201. 8%, CAPL: +87. 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.

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

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.