Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (HP) vs Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)

VLO leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and Valero Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — HP vs VLO

growth of $100 · last 30y
HP +538.2%VLO +6209.0%VLO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$638$6,309
HP VLO

HP vs VLO: by the numbers

  • VLO is the larger company ($76.81B vs $3.92B market cap).
  • VLO is profitable (3.33% net margin) while HP runs a net loss (-9.39%).
  • HP grew revenue faster over the past five years (30.24% vs 14.68% CAGR).
  • HP pays the higher dividend yield (2.55% vs 1.80%).

Which is better, HP or VLO?

Metric tally: HP 4 · VLO 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthHP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHP(higher dividend yield)
QualityVLO(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricHPVLO
P/E ratio18.79
Forward P/E24.8612.45
P/S ratio0.980.61
P/B ratio1.553.23
PEG ratio4.28
EV / EBITDA11.129.10
FCF yield6.53%7.69%

Profitability

MetricHPVLO
Gross margin11.29%7.24%
Operating margin-1.85%4.61%
Net margin-9.39%3.33%
ROE-14.86%17.62%
ROIC3.92%7.12%

Dividends

MetricHPVLO
Dividend yield2.55%1.80%
Payout ratio61.56%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHPVLO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)30.24%14.68%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-4.17%4.39%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.32%67.44%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.73%30.36%

Frequently asked

Which is better, HP or VLO?
It depends on your goal. growth: HP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HP (higher dividend yield); quality: VLO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VLO leads 11 to 4.
Which has grown faster, HP or VLO?
Over the past five years, HP grew revenue faster — HP at a 30.24% CAGR versus VLO at 14.68%.
Does HP or VLO pay a bigger dividend?
HP yields 2.55% and VLO yields 1.80% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HP or VLO more profitable?
VLO runs the higher net margin — HP at -9.39% versus VLO at 3.33%.
Which has been the better investment, HP or VLO?
Over the past 10-year, VLO delivered the higher annualized total return — HP at -0.26% 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 14, 2026.