USAC
USA Compression Partners, LP
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Market Cap$3.33B
5Y Perf.+129.1%
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Stock Comparison
USAC vs AROC vs WES vs MPLX vs DKL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AROC
Archrock, Inc.
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Market Cap$6.68B
5Y Perf.+500.2%
WES
Western Midstream Partners, LP
Oil & Gas Midstream
Market Cap$17.67B
5Y Perf.+363.6%
MPLX
MPLX Lp
Oil & Gas Midstream
Market Cap$57.12B
5Y Perf.+196.3%
DKL
Delek Logistics Partners, LP
Oil & Gas Midstream
Market Cap$2.71B
5Y Perf.+114.3%
USAC vs AROC vs WES vs MPLX vs DKL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | USAC | AROC | WES | MPLX | DKL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream | Oil & Gas Midstream |
| Market Cap | $3.33B | $6.68B | $17.67B | $57.12B | $2.71B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.08B | $1.52B | $4.05B | $12.54B | $1.06B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $129M | $325M | $1.21B | $4.71B | $170M |
| Gross Margin | 51.6% | 45.5% | 68.8% | 60.0% | 19.2% |
| Operating Margin | 30.4% | 25.2% | 40.6% | 44.9% | 16.5% |
| Forward P/E | 19.8x | 19.3x | 13.6x | 12.7x | 13.8x |
| Total Debt | $2.55B | $2.42B | $8.93B | $26.16B | $35M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $9M | $2M | $819M | $2.14B | $11M |
USAC vs AROC vs WES vs MPLX vs DKL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
USAC
AROC
WES
MPLX
DKL
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA Compression Par… (USAC) | 100 | 229.1 | +129.1% |
| Archrock, Inc. (AROC) | 100 | 600.2 | +500.2% |
| Western Midstream P… (WES) | 100 | 463.6 | +363.6% |
| MPLX Lp (MPLX) | 100 | 296.3 | +196.3% |
| Delek Logistics Par… (DKL) | 100 | 214.3 | +114.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: USAC vs AROC vs WES vs MPLX vs DKL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MPLX leads in 4 of 7 categories (5-stock set), making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Archrock, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. DKL also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
USAC
USA Compression Partners, LP
The Income Angle
USAC lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: energy exposure
AROC
Archrock, Inc.
The Growth Play
AROC is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure and long-term compounding is your priority.
- Rev growth 28.7%, EPS growth 75.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 20.8%
- 5.8% 10Y total return vs USAC's 250.5%
- 28.7% revenue growth vs USAC's 5.0%
- +62.5% vs MPLX's +22.5%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
WES
Western Midstream Partners, LP
The Defensive Pick
WES is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 0.28, yield 8.2%, current ratio 1.34x
Best for: defensive
MPLX
MPLX Lp
The Defensive Pick
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 13.8x)
- 37.5% margin vs USAC's 11.9%
- Beta 0.18 vs AROC's 0.91
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
DKL
Delek Logistics Partners, LP
The Income Pick
DKL ranks third and is worth considering specifically for income & stability.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.35, yield 8.7%
- 8.7% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs WES's 8.2%
Best for: income & stability
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AROC | 28.7% revenue growth vs USAC's 5.0% |
| Value | MPLX | Lower P/E (12.7x vs 13.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | MPLX | 37.5% margin vs USAC's 11.9% |
| Stability / Safety | MPLX | Beta 0.18 vs AROC's 0.91 |
| Dividends | DKL | 8.7% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs WES's 8.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | AROC | +62.5% vs MPLX's +22.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MPLX | 11.3% ROA vs USAC's 4.4%, ROIC 9.9% vs 9.6% |
USAC vs AROC vs WES vs MPLX vs DKL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2023
USAC vs AROC vs WES vs MPLX vs DKL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMPLXLAGGINGWES
Who Leads Where
MPLX leads in 2 of 6 categories
DKL leads 2 • AROC leads 1 • USAC leads 0 • WES leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓WESWestern Midstream Par…
0leads
USACUSA Compression Partn…
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AROCArchrock, Inc.
1leads
DKLDelek Logistics Partn…
2leads
MPLXMPLX Lp
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs DKLvs AROCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MPLX3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MPLX3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
DKL4/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
AROC6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
DKL2/2
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 — 11.8x DKL's $1.1B. MPLX is the more profitable business, keeping 37.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to USAC's 11.9%. On growth, USAC holds the edge at +35.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | USACUSA Compression P… | AROCArchrock, Inc. | WESWestern Midstream… | MPLXMPLX Lp | DKLDelek Logistics P… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $1.5B | $4.0B | $12.5B | $1.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $631M | $789M | $2.4B | $7.0B | $310M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $129M | $325M | $1.2B | $4.7B | $170M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $327M | $358M | $1.4B | $5.0B | $112M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +51.6% | +45.5% | +68.8% | +60.0% | +19.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +30.4% | +25.2% | +40.6% | +44.9% | +16.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +11.9% | +21.4% | +29.9% | +37.5% | +16.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +30.1% | +23.6% | +33.6% | +39.8% | +10.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +35.1% | +7.7% | +22.5% | +5.2% | +19.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +92.9% | +2.5% | +10.1% | -17.3% | -17.8% |
MPLX leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MPLX leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 11.7x trailing earnings, MPLX trades at a 64% valuation discount to USAC's 32.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, DKL's 8.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MPLX's 13.3x.
| Metric | USACUSA Compression P… | AROCArchrock, Inc. | WESWestern Midstream… | MPLXMPLX Lp | DKLDelek Logistics P… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.3B | $6.7B | $17.7B | $57.1B | $2.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.9B | $9.1B | $25.8B | $81.1B | $2.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 32.48x | 20.71x | 14.43x | 11.67x | 15.46x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 19.81x | 19.26x | 13.57x | 12.71x | 13.82x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | 0.70x | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.75x | 10.87x | 11.22x | 13.27x | 8.81x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.34x | 4.48x | 4.60x | 4.83x | 2.68x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 4.47x | 4.19x | 3.95x | 446.88x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.04x | 55.82x | 12.06x | 13.93x | — |
MPLX leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DKL leads this category, winning 4 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 $22 for AROC. AROC carries lower financial leverage with a 1.62x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to DKL's 5.75x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AROC scores 7/9 vs DKL's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | USACUSA Compression P… | AROCArchrock, Inc. | WESWestern Midstream… | MPLXMPLX Lp | DKLDelek Logistics P… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.5% | +22.3% | +33.5% | +32.8% | +19.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.4% | +7.4% | +8.9% | +11.3% | +6.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.6% | +11.6% | +10.5% | +9.9% | +14.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.8% | +14.8% | +12.6% | +12.9% | +8.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 1.62x | 2.14x | 1.80x | 5.75x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.5B | $2.4B | $8.1B | $24.0B | $24M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $9M | $2M | $819M | $2.1B | $11M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.6B | $2.4B | $8.9B | $26.2B | $35M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.77x | 2.81x | 6.44x | 5.85x | 1.66x |
DKL leads this category, winning 4 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AROC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AROC five years ago would be worth $42,706 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $18,598 for DKL. Over the past 12 months, AROC leads with a +62.5% total return vs MPLX's +22.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AROC at 60.3% vs DKL's 13.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | USACUSA Compression P… | AROCArchrock, Inc. | WESWestern Midstream… | MPLXMPLX Lp | DKLDelek Logistics P… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +20.5% | +43.9% | +13.6% | +6.4% | +13.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +28.6% | +62.5% | +30.6% | +22.5% | +45.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +72.7% | +312.1% | +107.8% | +95.7% | +45.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +147.8% | +327.1% | +170.5% | +157.2% | +86.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +250.5% | +577.9% | +72.1% | +184.4% | +207.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +20.0% | +60.3% | +27.6% | +25.1% | +13.3% |
AROC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — WES and MPLX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MPLX is the less volatile stock with a 0.18 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AROC's 0.91 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WES currently trades 96.8% from its 52-week high vs DKL's 91.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | USACUSA Compression P… | AROCArchrock, Inc. | WESWestern Midstream… | MPLXMPLX Lp | DKLDelek Logistics P… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.38x | 0.91x | 0.28x | 0.18x | 0.35x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $28.90 | $40.12 | $44.74 | $59.98 | $55.89 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.85 | $21.17 | $35.51 | $47.80 | $37.50 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.5% | +95.0% | +96.8% | +93.8% | +91.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.2 | 66.8 | 47.7 | 46.5 | 50.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 189K | 1.6M | 1.4M | 1.8M | 64K |
Evenly matched — WES and MPLX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
DKL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: USAC as "Buy", AROC as "Buy", WES as "Hold", MPLX as "Buy", DKL as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 9.8% upside for DKL (target: $56) vs -5.3% for WES (target: $41). For income investors, DKL offers the higher dividend yield at 8.72% vs AROC's 2.13%.
| Metric | USACUSA Compression P… | AROCArchrock, Inc. | WESWestern Midstream… | MPLXMPLX Lp | DKLDelek Logistics P… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Hold | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $27.50 | $40.00 | $41.00 | $60.25 | $56.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 19 | 18 | 13 | 28 | 10 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +7.6% | +2.1% | +8.2% | +7.0% | +8.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.10 | $0.81 | $3.56 | $3.94 | $4.45 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.1% | 0.0% | +0.7% | +0.4% |
DKL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MPLX leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). DKL leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best OverallMPLX Lp (MPLX)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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USAC vs AROC vs WES vs MPLX vs DKL: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Archrock, Inc.
(AROC) is the stronger pick with 28. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 0% for USA Compression Partners, LP (USAC). 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 USA Compression Partners, LP (USAC) a "Buy" — based on 19 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 — USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL?
On trailing P/E, MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the cheapest at 11.
7x versus USA Compression Partners, LP at 32. 5x. On forward P/E, MPLX Lp is actually cheaper at 12. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL?
Over the past 5 years, Archrock, Inc.
(AROC) delivered a total return of +327. 1%, compared to +86. 0% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP (DKL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AROC returned +577. 9% versus WES's +72. 1%. 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 — USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
18β versus Archrock, Inc. 's 0. 91β — meaning AROC is approximately 397% more volatile than MPLX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Archrock, Inc. (AROC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 162% versus 6% for Delek Logistics Partners, LP — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Archrock, Inc.
(AROC) is pulling ahead at 28. 7% versus 5. 0% for USA Compression Partners, LP (USAC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Archrock, Inc. grew EPS 75. 2% year-over-year, compared to -25. 4% for Western Midstream Partners, LP. Over a 3-year CAGR, AROC leads at 20. 8% 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 — USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL?
MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the more profitable company, earning 41.
6% net margin versus 11. 2% for USA Compression Partners, LP — meaning it keeps 41. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WES leads at 41. 3% versus 18. 0% for DKL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WES leads at 68. 5%, 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 USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, MPLX Lp (MPLX) trades at 12.
7x forward P/E versus 19. 8x for USA Compression Partners, LP — 7. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DKL: 9. 8% to $56. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Delek Logistics Partners, LP (DKL) offers the highest yield at 8. 7%, versus 2. 1% for Archrock, Inc. (AROC).
09Is USAC or AROC or WES or MPLX or DKL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, MPLX Lp (MPLX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
18), 7. 0% yield, +184. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MPLX: +184. 4%, AROC: +577. 9%), 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 USAC and AROC and WES and MPLX and DKL?
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: USAC is a small-cap income-oriented stock; AROC is a small-cap high-growth stock; WES is a mid-cap deep-value stock; MPLX is a mid-cap deep-value stock; DKL 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>
%
(USAC: 35.1% · AROC: 7.7%)Net Margin>
%
(USAC: 11.9% · AROC: 21.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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