Diversified Energy (NYSE:DEC) versus Woodside Energy Group (OTCMKTS:WOPEY) Critical Review

Woodside Energy Group (OTCMKTS:WOPEY) and Diversified Energy (NYSE:DEC) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Woodside Energy Group and Diversified Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Woodside Energy Group	N/A	N/A	N/A
Diversified Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A

Dividends

Woodside Energy Group pays an annual dividend of $2.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 14.1%. Diversified Energy pays an annual dividend of $0.81 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.8%.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Woodside Energy Group and Diversified Energy”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Woodside Energy Group	$7.10 billion	2.02	$1.98 billion	N/A	N/A
Diversified Energy	$749.63 million	0.90	$758.02 million	N/A	N/A

Woodside Energy Group has higher revenue and earnings than Diversified Energy.

Volatility and Risk

Woodside Energy Group has a beta of 1.27, meaning that its stock price is 27% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Diversified Energy has a beta of 0.18, meaning that its stock price is 82% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Woodside Energy Group and Diversified Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Woodside Energy Group	0	0	0	0	0.00
Diversified Energy	0	0	2	0	3.00

Diversified Energy has a consensus price target of $23.00, indicating a potential upside of 64.23%. Given Diversified Energy’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Diversified Energy is more favorable than Woodside Energy Group.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

26.5% of Diversified Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Woodside Energy Group beats Diversified Energy on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Woodside Energy Group

Woodside Energy Group Ltd engages in the exploration, evaluation, development, production, marketing, and sale of hydrocarbons in Oceania, Asia, Canada, Africa, and internationally. The company produces liquefied natural gas, pipeline natural gas, condensate, liquefied petroleum gas, and crude oil. It holds interests in the Greater Browse, Greater Sunrise, Greater Pluto, Greater Exmouth, North West Shelf, Wheatstone, Julimar-Brunello, Canada, Senegal, Greater Scarborough, and Myanmar projects. The company was formerly known as Woodside Petroleum Ltd and changed its name to Woodside Energy Group Ltd in May 2022. Woodside Energy Group Ltd was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Perth, Australia.

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.