APA Corporation (APA) vs Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA)
APA leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of APA Corporation and Coterra Energy Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
APA
APA Corporation
$34.84EnergyDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CTRA
Coterra Energy Inc.
$32.56EnergyAt close: May 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — APA vs CTRA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAPA +355.3%CTRA +3391.6%CTRA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
APA CTRA
APA vs CTRA: by the numbers
- •CTRA is the larger company ($24.72B vs $12.31B market cap).
- •APA trades at the lower earnings multiple (8.12 vs 14.94 P/E).
- •CTRA converts more revenue to profit (21.68% vs 17.80% net margin).
- •CTRA grew revenue faster over the past five years (37.93% vs 11.66% CAGR).
- •APA pays the higher dividend yield (2.87% vs 2.03%).
Which is better, APA or CTRA?
Metric tally: APA 11 · CTRA 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAPA(lower P/E)
GrowthCTRA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAPA(higher dividend yield)
QualityAPA(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | APA | CTRA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 8.12● | 14.94 |
| Forward P/E | 6.01● | 11.28 |
| P/S ratio | 1.43● | 3.23 |
| P/B ratio | 1.91 | 1.64● |
| PEG ratio | 0.08● | 0.24 |
| EV / EBITDA | 3.13● | 5.79 |
| FCF yield | 12.03%● | 8.01% |
Profitability
| Metric | APA | CTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 37.32% | 39.00%● |
| Operating margin | 34.63%● | 31.10% |
| Net margin | 17.80% | 21.68%● |
| ROE | 23.75%● | 11.03% |
| ROIC | 9.96%● | 8.00% |
Dividends
| Metric | APA | CTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.87%● | 2.03% |
| Payout ratio | 25.06% | 29.33% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | APA | CTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.66% | 37.93%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 69.31%● | 35.10% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 22.89% | 44.75%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.07% | 19.43%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, APA or CTRA?
- It depends on your goal. value: APA (lower P/E); growth: CTRA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: APA (higher dividend yield); quality: APA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, APA leads 11 to 6.
- Is APA or CTRA cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, APA is cheaper: APA trades at a 8.12 P/E and CTRA at 14.94.
- Which has grown faster, APA or CTRA?
- Over the past five years, CTRA grew revenue faster — APA at a 11.66% CAGR versus CTRA at 37.93%.
- Does APA or CTRA pay a bigger dividend?
- APA yields 2.87% and CTRA yields 2.03% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is APA or CTRA more profitable?
- CTRA runs the higher net margin — APA at 17.80% versus CTRA at 21.68%.
- Which has been the better investment, APA or CTRA?
- Over the past 10-year, CTRA delivered the higher annualized total return — APA at -2.01% versus CTRA at 6.59%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
APA P/E ratioCoterra Energy P/E ratioAPA dividend yieldCoterra Energy dividend yieldAPA ROECoterra Energy ROEAPA operating marginCoterra Energy operating marginAPA revenue growthCoterra Energy revenue growthAPA free cash flowCoterra Energy free cash flow
APA & Coterra Energy appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 20, 2026.