Core Natural Resources (NYSE:CNR – Get Free Report) and Gulfport Energy (NYSE:GPOR – Get Free Report) are both mid-cap energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings and institutional ownership.
Volatility & Risk
Core Natural Resources has a beta of 0.17, meaning that its share price is 83% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Gulfport Energy has a beta of 0.43, meaning that its share price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Core Natural Resources and Gulfport 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 | 1.19 | -$153.22 million | $1.99 | 50.34 |
| Gulfport Energy | $1.42 billion | 2.23 | $427.81 million | $25.00 | 7.19 |
Gulfport Energy has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Core Natural Resources. Gulfport 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.
Profitability
This table compares Core Natural Resources and Gulfport 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% |
| Gulfport Energy | 32.28% | 21.87% | 13.08% |
Institutional & Insider Ownership
86.5% of Core Natural Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.5% of Core Natural Resources shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.7% of Gulfport Energy shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Core Natural Resources and Gulfport Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Core Natural Resources | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2.83 |
| Gulfport Energy | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2.36 |
Core Natural Resources currently has a consensus target price of $115.00, indicating a potential upside of 14.80%. Gulfport Energy has a consensus target price of $219.22, indicating a potential upside of 22.00%. Given Gulfport Energy’s higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Gulfport Energy is more favorable than Core Natural Resources.
Summary
Gulfport Energy beats Core Natural Resources on 9 of the 14 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 Gulfport Energy
Gulfport Energy Corporation engages in the exploration, development, acquisition, production of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States. Its principal properties include Utica Shale covering an area approximately 187,000 net reservoir acres primarily located in Eastern Ohio; and SCOOP covering an area approximately 74,000 net reservoir acres primarily located in Garvin, Grady, and Stephens. As of December 31, 2021, it had 3.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent to proved reserves; and proved undeveloped reserves comprising 8 MMbbl oil and 22 MMBbl NGL, and 1,550 Bcf natural gas. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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