PostRock Energy (OTCMKTS:PSTRQ) vs. National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Head to Head Contrast

PostRock Energy (OTCMKTS:PSTRQ) and National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

74.0% of National Fuel Gas shares are held by institutional investors. 79.2% of PostRock Energy shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.4% of National Fuel Gas shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for PostRock Energy and National Fuel Gas, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
PostRock Energy	0	0	0	0	0.00
National Fuel Gas	1	1	1	1	2.50

National Fuel Gas has a consensus price target of $82.33, suggesting a potential downside of 3.18%. Given National Fuel Gas’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe National Fuel Gas is more favorable than PostRock Energy.

Profitability

This table compares PostRock Energy and National Fuel Gas’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
PostRock Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A
National Fuel Gas	1.91%	18.55%	6.34%

Volatility and Risk

PostRock Energy has a beta of -2.27, suggesting that its share price is 327% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, National Fuel Gas has a beta of 0.62, suggesting that its share price is 38% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares PostRock Energy and National Fuel Gas”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
PostRock Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
National Fuel Gas	$1.94 billion	3.95	$77.51 million	$0.43	197.76

National Fuel Gas has higher revenue and earnings than PostRock Energy.

Summary

National Fuel Gas beats PostRock Energy on 10 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About PostRock Energy

PostRock Energy Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, production, and gathering of crude oil and natural gas. It focuses on the Cherokee Basin project in southeastern Kansas, northeastern Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma. The firm also owns and operates minor oil and gas producing properties in the Appalachian Basin. The company was founded in July 2009 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK.

About National Fuel Gas

National Fuel Gas Company operates as a diversified energy company. It operates through four segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. The Exploration and Production segment explores for, develops, and produces natural gas and oil. The Pipeline and Storage segment provides interstate natural gas transportation services through an integrated gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania and New York; and owns and operates underground natural gas storage fields. This segment also transports natural gas for National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, as well as for other utilities, industrial companies, and power producers in New York State. The Gathering segment builds, owns, and operates natural gas processing and pipeline gathering facilities in the Appalachian region, as well as provides gathering services to Seneca. The Utility segment sells natural gas or provides natural gas utility services to various customers in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Jamestown, New York; and Erie and Sharon, Pennsylvania. National Fuel Gas Company was incorporated in 1902 and is headquartered in Williamsville, New York.