Analyzing Energy Vault (NYSE:NRGV) & Diversified Energy (NYSE:DEC)

Diversified Energy (NYSE:DEC) and Energy Vault (NYSE:NRGV) are both small-cap energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, valuation, profitability and earnings.

Risk & Volatility

Diversified Energy has a beta of 0.65, suggesting that its stock price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Energy Vault has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Diversified Energy and Energy Vault”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Diversified Energy	$794.84 million	0.76	-$88.27 million	N/A	N/A
Energy Vault	$51.72 million	12.11	-$135.75 million	($0.97)	-3.99

Diversified Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Energy Vault.

Profitability

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

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Diversified Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A
Energy Vault	-279.38%	-96.64%	-54.64%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Diversified Energy and Energy Vault, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Diversified Energy	1	0	4	0	2.60
Energy Vault	2	0	2	0	2.00

Diversified Energy presently has a consensus price target of $22.25, suggesting a potential upside of 78.43%. Energy Vault has a consensus price target of $1.67, suggesting a potential downside of 56.93%. Given Diversified Energy’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Diversified Energy is more favorable than Energy Vault.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

26.5% of Diversified Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 40.0% of Energy Vault shares are held by institutional investors. 15.4% of Energy Vault shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Diversified Energy beats Energy Vault on 8 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

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.

About Energy Vault

Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. develops and sells energy storage solutions. The company offers B-Vault, an electrochemical battery energy storage systems for shorter-duration energy storage needs; G-Vault, a proprietary gravity energy storage solution, including EVx solution; and H-Vault, a hybrid energy storage systems including systems that integrate green hydrogen. Its software solutions includes Vault-OS, an energy management system the management of one or more diverse storage mediums; Vault-Bidder that utilizes machine learning algorithms to match node-specific data with real-time weather and asset performance information; and Vault-Manager which designs to safeguard asset management and to help blend developing technologies seamlessly into existing solutions. Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. is based in Westlake Village, California.