Archrock (AROC) vs Cactus (WHD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cactus (WHD) has outperformed Archrock (AROC) over the past year, gaining 73.2% versus a gain of 23.6%. Over five years, AROC leads with a +248.3% price change compared with +50.1% for WHD. Archrock is the larger company by market cap ($5.28 billion vs $4.40 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Archrock trades at a lower forward P/E (13.7x vs 17.3x for Cactus). Archrock offers the higher dividend yield (2.92% vs 0.89%). Archrock converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 21.6% versus 15.4%.
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 | AROC | WHD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $30.09 | $63.10 |
| Market cap | $5.28B | $4.40B |
| 1-day change | -2.40% | -1.67% |
| YTD return | +15.64% | +38.13% |
| 1-year return | +23.62% | +73.16% |
| 5-year return | +248.26% | +50.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.18 | 53.93 |
| Forward P/E | 13.73 | 17.28 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.86 | $1.17 |
| Dividend yield | 2.92% | 0.89% |
| Annual dividend | $0.88 | $0.56 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.49B | $1.08B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +28.70% | -4.49% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $322.29M | $166.01M |
| Gross margin | 48.57% | 37.02% |
| Operating margin | — | 23.21% |
| Net margin | 21.63% | 15.39% |
| 52-week high | $42.23 | $74.07 |
| 52-week low | $22.88 | $33.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -28.75% | -14.81% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +41.24% | +11.28% |
| Average volume | 1.74M | 775.95K |
| Shares outstanding | 175.34M | 69.73M |
| Employees | 1,350 | 1,500 |
| Sector | Utilities | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Natural Gas Distribution | Oil and Gas Field Machinery |
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
- WHD has outperformed AROC by 49.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Cactus trades at a higher earnings multiple (53.9x vs 16.2x trailing P/E).
- Archrock offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.92% vs 0.89%).
- Archrock is more profitable, keeping 21.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 15.4 cents for Cactus.
- Archrock grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+28.70% vs -4.49%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Archrock in Utilities and Cactus in Consumer Discretionary.
About Archrock
AROC stock →Archrock, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Contract Operations and Aftermarket Services.
Utilities · Natural Gas Distribution · 1,350 employees
About Cactus
WHD stock →Cactus, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and rents engineered pressure control and spoolable pipe technologies in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and internationally. The company operates in two segments: Pressure Control and Spoolable Technologies.
Consumer Discretionary · Oil and Gas Field Machinery · 1,500 employees
AROC vs WHD FAQ
Which is bigger, Archrock or Cactus?
Archrock (AROC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.28B compared with $4.40B for Cactus (WHD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AROC or WHD?
WHD returned +73.16% over the past 12 months, compared with +23.62% for AROC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AROC or WHD?
AROC has the lower trailing P/E at 16.2, versus 53.9 for WHD. 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, Archrock or Cactus?
Archrock has the higher yield at 2.92%, compared with 0.89% for Cactus.
Are Archrock and Cactus in the same industry?
No. Archrock is in the Utilities sector, while Cactus is in Consumer Discretionary.