ConocoPhillips (COP) vs Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)

COP leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though VLO is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of ConocoPhillips and Valero Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — COP vs VLO

growth of $100 · last 30y
COP +658.6%VLO +6148.1%VLO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$759$6,248
COP VLO

COP vs VLO: by the numbers

  • COP is the larger company ($142.52B vs $76.81B market cap).
  • VLO trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.79 vs 19.89 P/E).
  • COP converts more revenue to profit (12.56% vs 3.33% net margin).
  • COP grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.71% vs 14.68% CAGR).
  • COP pays the higher dividend yield (2.82% vs 1.80%).

Which is better, COP or VLO?

Metric tally: COP 9 · VLO 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueVLO(lower P/E)
GrowthCOP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCOP(higher dividend yield)
QualityVLO(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCOPVLO
P/E ratio19.8918.79
Forward P/E13.0112.45
P/S ratio2.460.61
P/B ratio2.223.23
PEG ratio4.28
EV / EBITDA6.579.10
FCF yield12.79%7.69%

Profitability

MetricCOPVLO
Gross margin29.18%7.24%
Operating margin18.28%4.61%
Net margin12.56%3.33%
ROE11.34%17.62%
ROIC6.72%7.12%

Dividends

MetricCOPVLO
Dividend yield2.82%1.80%
Payout ratio51.89%61.56%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCOPVLO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)20.71%14.68%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-0.18%4.39%
FCF CAGR (5Y)104.64%67.44%
Total return CAGR (5Y)18.54%30.36%

Frequently asked

Which is better, COP or VLO?
It depends on your goal. value: VLO (lower P/E); growth: COP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: COP (higher dividend yield); quality: VLO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, COP leads 9 to 7.
Is COP or VLO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, VLO is cheaper: COP trades at a 19.89 P/E and VLO at 18.79.
Which has grown faster, COP or VLO?
Over the past five years, COP grew revenue faster — COP at a 20.71% CAGR versus VLO at 14.68%.
Does COP or VLO pay a bigger dividend?
COP yields 2.82% and VLO yields 1.80% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is COP or VLO more profitable?
COP runs the higher net margin — COP at 12.56% versus VLO at 3.33%.
Which has been the better investment, COP or VLO?
Over the past 10-year, VLO delivered the higher annualized total return — COP at 13.65% versus VLO at 21.79%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 June 13, 2026.