Core Natural Resources (NYSE:CNR – Get Free Report) and Diversified Energy (NYSE:DEC – Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and dividends.
Profitability
This table compares Core Natural Resources and Diversified Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Core Natural Resources | 2.34% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Diversified Energy | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Core Natural Resources and Diversified Energy”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Core Natural Resources | $4.16 billion | 1.12 | -$153.22 million | $1.99 | 47.24 |
| Diversified Energy | $1.83 billion | 0.54 | $341.11 million | $3.23 | 4.32 |
Diversified Energy has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Core Natural Resources. Diversified Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Core Natural Resources, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
86.5% of Core Natural Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 26.5% of Diversified Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.5% of Core Natural Resources shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.9% of Diversified Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Core Natural Resources and Diversified Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Core Natural Resources | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2.83 |
| Diversified Energy | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 2.70 |
Core Natural Resources presently has a consensus price target of $115.00, indicating a potential upside of 22.33%. Diversified Energy has a consensus price target of $22.50, indicating a potential upside of 61.17%. Given Diversified Energy’s higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Diversified Energy is more favorable than Core Natural Resources.
Volatility and Risk
Core Natural Resources has a beta of 0.17, meaning that its stock price is 83% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Diversified Energy has a beta of -0.35, meaning that its stock price is 135% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Dividends
Core Natural Resources pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Diversified Energy pays an annual dividend of $1.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.3%. Core Natural Resources pays out 20.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Diversified Energy pays out 35.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.
Summary
Core Natural Resources beats Diversified Energy on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Core Natural Resources
Core Natural Resources, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells bituminous coal in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC) and CONSOL Marine Terminal. The company’s PAMC segment engages in the mining, preparing, and marketing of bituminous coal to power generators, industrial end-users, and metallurgical end-users. This segment includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine, and the central preparation plant. Its CONSOL Marine Terminal segment provides coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. The company also develops and operates the Itmann Mining Complex located in Wyoming County, West Virginia; and Greenfield Reserves and Resources located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian, and Illinois basins. The company was formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and changed its name to Core Natural Resources, Inc. in January 2025. Core Natural Resources, Inc. was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
About Diversified Energy
Diversified Energy Company PLC operates as an independent owner and operator of producing natural gas and oil wells primarily in the Appalachian Basin of the United States. The company is involved in the production, marketing, and transportation of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and condensates. Its assets consist of natural gas wells and gathering systems located in the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. The company was formerly known as Diversified Gas & Oil PLC and changed its name to Diversified Energy Company PLC in May 2021. Diversified Energy Company PLC was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.
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