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 30yCOP +658.6%VLO +6148.1%VLO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueVLO(lower P/E)
GrowthCOP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCOP(higher dividend yield)
QualityVLO(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | COP | VLO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.89 | 18.79● |
| Forward P/E | 13.01 | 12.45● |
| P/S ratio | 2.46 | 0.61● |
| P/B ratio | 2.22● | 3.23 |
| PEG ratio | — | 4.28 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.57● | 9.10 |
| FCF yield | 12.79%● | 7.69% |
Profitability
| Metric | COP | VLO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.18%● | 7.24% |
| Operating margin | 18.28%● | 4.61% |
| Net margin | 12.56%● | 3.33% |
| ROE | 11.34% | 17.62%● |
| ROIC | 6.72% | 7.12%● |
Dividends
| Metric | COP | VLO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.82%● | 1.80% |
| Payout ratio | 51.89% | 61.56% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COP | VLO |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
ConocoPhillips P/E ratioValero Energy P/E ratioConocoPhillips dividend yieldValero Energy dividend yieldConocoPhillips ROEValero Energy ROEConocoPhillips operating marginValero Energy operating marginConocoPhillips revenue growthValero Energy revenue growthConocoPhillips free cash flowValero Energy free cash flow
ConocoPhillips & Valero 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 June 13, 2026.