Antero Resources (AR) vs SM Energy (SM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
SM Energy (SM) has outperformed Antero Resources (AR) over the past year, gaining 39.4% versus a gain of 4.9%. Over five years, AR leads with a +81.6% price change compared with +21.2% for SM. Antero Resources is the larger company by market cap ($10.94 billion vs $8.38 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, SM Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (4.4x vs 8.1x for Antero Resources). SM Energy pays a dividend yielding 2.33%, while Antero Resources does not currently pay one. SM Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.5% versus 12.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AR | SM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $35.57 | $35.25 |
| Market cap | $10.94B | $8.38B |
| 1-day change | -0.42% | +0.43% |
| YTD return | +3.22% | +88.50% |
| 1-year return | +4.93% | +39.44% |
| 5-year return | +81.57% | +21.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.22 | 6.25 |
| Forward P/E | 8.11 | 4.36 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.48 | $5.64 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.33% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.82 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.28B | $3.15B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +21.97% | +17.25% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $674.57M | $648.00M |
| Gross margin | — | 71.94% |
| Operating margin | 16.75% | 31.71% |
| Net margin | 12.79% | 20.55% |
| 52-week high | $45.75 | $41.56 |
| 52-week low | $29.10 | $17.45 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.25% | -15.18% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +38.97% | +24.31% |
| Average volume | 4.17M | 3.75M |
| Shares outstanding | 307.44M | 237.85M |
| Employees | 632 | 1,241 |
| Sector | Energy | Energy |
| Industry | Oil & Gas Production | Oil & Gas Production |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- SM has outperformed AR by 34.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Antero Resources trades at a higher earnings multiple (10.2x vs 6.3x trailing P/E).
- SM Energy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.33% vs 0.00%).
- SM Energy is more profitable, keeping 20.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.8 cents for Antero Resources.
About Antero Resources
AR stock →Antero Resources Corporation, an independent oil and natural gas company, engages in the development, production, exploration, and acquisition of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and oil properties in the United States. It operates in three segments: Exploration and Production; Marketing; and Equity Method Investment in Antero Midstream.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 632 employees
About SM Energy
SM stock →SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company holds working interests in oil and gas producing wells in the Midland Basin, South Texas, Uinta Basin, and DJ Basin.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 1,241 employees
AR vs SM FAQ
Which is bigger, Antero Resources or SM Energy?
Antero Resources (AR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.94B compared with $8.38B for SM Energy (SM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AR or SM?
SM returned +39.44% over the past 12 months, compared with +4.93% for AR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AR or SM?
SM has the lower trailing P/E at 6.3, versus 10.2 for AR. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Antero Resources or SM Energy?
SM Energy pays a dividend yielding 2.33%, while Antero Resources does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Antero Resources and SM Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Oil & Gas Production industry within the Energy sector.