CNQ vs. MPC: Canadian Natural Resources vs. Marathon Petroleum Stock Comparison
How do Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) both belong to the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, though CNQ is classified under Oil & Gas Exploration & Production while MPC falls under Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing.
| Profile Item | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | Marathon Petroleum Corp. |
| Country/Region | Canada | United States |
| GICS Sector | Energy | Energy |
| GICS Industry Group | Energy | Energy |
| GICS Industry | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing |
| Market Capitalization | 98.81 billion USD | 101.49 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 31, 2000 | June 24, 2011 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 56.47% | 104.94% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 19.27% | 42.97% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 23.01% | 45.42% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 32.07% | 37.53% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.48 | 0.56 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -35.85% | -44.75% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 6.32M | 2.56M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.63 | 2.68 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 2.31 | 4.10 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 60.46% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 32.39% also sits in the top quartile.
CNQ
Energy industry group
32.39%
- Max
- 53.85%
- CNQ
- 32.39%
- Q3
- 24.79%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- -29.09%
MPC
Energy industry group
60.46%
- MPC
- 60.46%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 24.79%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- -29.09%
Net Margin (TTM)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 29.51% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 8.34%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
CNQ
Energy industry group
29.51%
- Max
- 56.92%
- CNQ
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 22.92%
- Median
- 10.10%
- Q1
- 0.07%
- Min
- -27.38%
MPC
Energy industry group
8.34%
- Max
- 56.92%
- Q3
- 22.92%
- Median
- 10.10%
- MPC
- 8.34%
- Q1
- 0.07%
- Min
- -27.38%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 32.24% and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 17.98% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
CNQ
Energy industry group
32.24%
- Max
- 71.31%
- Q3
- 33.75%
- CNQ
- 32.24%
- Median
- 18.73%
- Q1
- 6.94%
- Min
- -24.52%
MPC
Energy industry group
17.98%
- Max
- 71.31%
- Q3
- 33.75%
- Median
- 18.73%
- MPC
- 17.98%
- Q1
- 6.94%
- Min
- -24.52%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 32.39% | 60.46% |
| ROA (TTM) | 9.97% | 13.75% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 29.51% | 8.34% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 32.24% | 17.98% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 52.92% | 16.20% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 6.40% and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at -4.44% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 81.05% and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 31.15% sit in the top peer quartile for EPS growth, so each is compounding per-share earnings faster than typical industry peers.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 6.40% | -4.44% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -3.75% | -9.23% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 81.05% | 31.15% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 2.73% | -22.24% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 0.99 and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 1.45 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
CNQ
Energy industry group
0.99
- Max
- 3.64
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.41
- CNQ
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
MPC
Energy industry group
1.45
- Max
- 3.64
- Q3
- 2.21
- MPC
- 1.45
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 0.42 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 1.15 uses more debt funding than most peers.
CNQ
Energy industry group
0.42
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.54
- CNQ
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
MPC
Energy industry group
1.15
- Max
- 1.75
- MPC
- 1.15
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 1.45 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.42 | 1.15 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.67 | 0.88 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 5.03% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 1.09% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, CNQ the richer one.
CNQ
Energy industry group
5.03%
- Max
- 8.57%
- CNQ
- 5.03%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- Median
- 1.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MPC
Energy industry group
1.09%
- Max
- 8.57%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- Median
- 1.71%
- MPC
- 1.09%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 36.37% and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 7.93% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.
CNQ
Energy industry group
36.37%
- Max
- 133.24%
- Q3
- 53.31%
- CNQ
- 36.37%
- Median
- 25.24%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MPC
Energy industry group
7.93%
- Max
- 133.24%
- Q3
- 53.31%
- Median
- 25.24%
- MPC
- 7.93%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 5.03% | 1.09% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 36.37% | 7.93% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 7.39 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 9.95 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for MPC, though growth and earnings durability still matter.
CNQ
Energy industry group
9.95
- Max
- 39.54
- Q3
- 21.72
- Median
- 12.19
- CNQ
- 9.95
- Q1
- 7.71
- Min
- 2.99
MPC
Energy industry group
7.39
- Max
- 39.54
- Q3
- 21.72
- Median
- 12.19
- Q1
- 7.71
- MPC
- 7.39
- Min
- 2.99
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 0.58 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 2.06 prices around its industry’s middle — MPC costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
CNQ
Energy industry group
2.06
- Max
- 5.40
- Q3
- 2.85
- CNQ
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.69
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.00
MPC
Energy industry group
0.58
- Max
- 5.40
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 1.69
- Q1
- 0.88
- MPC
- 0.58
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 2.97 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) at 4.42 prices even higher, above its industry range.
CNQ
Energy industry group
2.97
- Max
- 4.21
- CNQ
- 2.97
- Q3
- 2.38
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.01
MPC
Energy industry group
4.42
- MPC
- 4.42
- Max
- 4.21
- Q3
- 2.38
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.01
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | MPC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 9.95 | 7.39 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.06 | 0.58 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.97 | 4.42 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 12.33% | 16.00% |