EC vs. NFG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EC and NFG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
EC trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, NFG is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | EC | NFG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ecopetrol S.A. | National Fuel Gas Company |
| Country | Colombia | United States |
| GICS Sector | Energy | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | Gas Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 21.40 billion USD | 7.34 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 18, 2008 | May 3, 1973 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EC and NFG by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | EC | NFG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.80% | 2.03% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 7.46% | -7.24% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 22.33% | 1.69% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 2.56% | 32.99% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.00% | 2.69% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 4.13% | 33.54% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.23M | 0.68M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 104.45M | 0.61M |
| 3-Month Volatility | -- | 20.84% |
| Beta | 0.61 | 0.62 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EC
15.67%
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 26.72%
- Q3
- 16.09%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 5.28%
- Min
- -10.03%
EC’s Return on Equity of 15.67% is on par with the norm for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
NFG
32.09%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 17.49%
- Q3
- 13.89%
- Median
- 9.80%
- Q1
- 8.61%
- Min
- 5.86%
NFG’s Return on Equity of 32.09% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Gas Utilities industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
EC
9.57%
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 43.98%
- Q3
- 20.46%
- Median
- 8.67%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- Min
- -7.11%
EC’s Net Profit Margin of 9.57% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
NFG
22.74%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 39.32%
- Q3
- 19.55%
- Median
- 8.06%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -4.27%
A Net Profit Margin of 22.74% places NFG in the upper quartile for the Gas Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
EC
25.41%
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 62.28%
- Q3
- 30.55%
- Median
- 17.92%
- Q1
- 6.58%
- Min
- -25.19%
EC’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.41% is around the midpoint for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
NFG
35.39%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 50.49%
- Q3
- 26.46%
- Median
- 15.44%
- Q1
- 8.01%
- Min
- 4.97%
An Operating Profit Margin of 35.39% places NFG in the upper quartile for the Gas Utilities industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | EC | NFG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 15.67% | 32.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.20% | 10.95% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.57% | 22.74% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.41% | 35.39% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.99% | 57.85% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EC
1.45
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 2.59
- Q3
- 1.69
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.31
EC’s Current Ratio of 1.45 aligns with the median group of the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
NFG
0.44
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 0.92
- Q1
- 0.65
- Min
- 0.09
NFG’s Current Ratio of 0.44 falls into the lower quartile for the Gas Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
EC
1.52
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 2.24
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.25
- Min
- 0.00
EC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.52. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
NFG
0.92
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.19
- Q3
- 1.42
- Median
- 0.92
- Q1
- 0.56
- Min
- 0.13
NFG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.92 is typical for the Gas Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
EC
7.32
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 41.04
- Q3
- 20.96
- Median
- 7.19
- Q1
- 2.54
- Min
- -19.25
EC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.32 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NFG
5.45
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 14.35
- Q3
- 11.25
- Median
- 8.09
- Q1
- 3.92
- Min
- 1.26
NFG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.45 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Gas Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | EC | NFG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.45 | 0.44 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.15 | 0.35 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.52 | 0.92 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.32 | 5.45 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EC
17.55%
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 11.17%
- Q3
- 6.18%
- Median
- 4.23%
- Q1
- 2.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
EC’s Dividend Yield of 17.55% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
NFG
2.57%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 8.87%
- Q3
- 5.84%
- Median
- 3.77%
- Q1
- 1.77%
- Min
- 0.00%
NFG’s Dividend Yield of 2.57% is consistent with its peers in the Gas Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
EC
112.67%
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 177.24%
- Q3
- 98.32%
- Median
- 58.16%
- Q1
- 28.57%
- Min
- 0.00%
EC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 112.67% is in the upper quartile for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
NFG
20.27%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 115.89%
- Q3
- 88.31%
- Median
- 62.24%
- Q1
- 42.71%
- Min
- 18.85%
NFG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.27% is in the lower quartile for the Gas Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | EC | NFG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 17.55% | 2.57% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 112.67% | 20.27% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EC
6.42
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 38.10
- Q3
- 21.29
- Median
- 13.95
- Q1
- 9.93
- Min
- 2.48
In the lower quartile for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, EC’s P/E Ratio of 6.42 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
NFG
7.88
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 24.84
- Q3
- 17.03
- Median
- 12.72
- Q1
- 9.60
- Min
- 7.51
In the lower quartile for the Gas Utilities industry, NFG’s P/E Ratio of 7.88 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
EC
0.61
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.81
- Median
- 1.43
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.15
EC’s P/S Ratio of 0.61 aligns with the market consensus for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
NFG
1.79
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.70
- Q3
- 2.70
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
NFG’s P/S Ratio of 1.79 aligns with the market consensus for the Gas Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
EC
0.94
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry
- Max
- 3.63
- Q3
- 2.11
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.45
EC’s P/B Ratio of 0.94 is in the lower quartile for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
NFG
2.70
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.70
- Q3
- 1.88
- Median
- 1.44
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.42
NFG’s P/B Ratio of 2.70 is in the upper tier for the Gas Utilities industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | EC | NFG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 6.42 | 7.88 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.61 | 1.79 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 2.70 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 4.66 | 28.68 |