Reviewing Core Natural Resources (NYSE:CNR) & Gulfport Energy (NYSE:GPOR)

Gulfport Energy (NYSE:GPOR) and Core Natural Resources (NYSE:CNR) are both mid-cap energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings and institutional ownership.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Gulfport Energy and Core Natural Resources”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Gulfport Energy	$1.42 billion	2.22	$427.81 million	$25.00	7.16
Core Natural Resources	$4.16 billion	1.19	-$153.22 million	$1.99	50.00

Gulfport Energy has higher earnings, but lower revenue 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.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

86.5% of Core Natural Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Gulfport Energy shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of Core Natural Resources shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Volatility & Risk

Gulfport Energy has a beta of 0.43, meaning that its stock price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Core Natural Resources has a beta of 0.17, meaning that its stock price is 83% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Gulfport Energy and Core Natural Resources’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Gulfport Energy	32.28%	21.87%	13.08%
Core Natural Resources	2.34%	0.03%	0.02%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Gulfport Energy and Core Natural Resources, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Gulfport Energy	1	6	6	1	2.50
Core Natural Resources	0	2	3	1	2.83

Gulfport Energy presently has a consensus price target of $223.11, indicating a potential upside of 24.71%. Core Natural Resources has a consensus price target of $115.00, indicating a potential upside of 15.57%. Given Gulfport Energy’s higher probable upside, research analysts clearly 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 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.

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.