National Fuel Gas (NFG) vs Shell (SHEL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Shell (SHEL) has outperformed National Fuel Gas (NFG) over the past year, gaining 36.2% versus a loss of 8.3%. Over five years, SHEL leads with a +105.7% price change compared with +36.1% for NFG. Shell is the larger company by market cap ($285.13 billion vs $7.48 billion), about 38.1 times the size, while National Fuel Gas is growing revenue faster (+17.1% vs -6.1%).
On valuation, Shell trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 10.5x for National Fuel Gas). National Fuel Gas offers the higher dividend yield (2.75% vs 1.51%). National Fuel Gas converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 22.8% versus 6.7%.
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 | NFG | SHEL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $78.66 | $100.18 |
| Market cap | $7.48B | $285.13B |
| 1-day change | +0.58% | -0.02% |
| YTD return | -1.75% | +36.34% |
| 1-year return | -8.33% | +36.24% |
| 5-year return | +36.11% | +105.71% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.96 | 11.06 |
| Forward P/E | 10.53 | 9.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.18 | $9.06 |
| Dividend yield | 2.75% | 1.51% |
| Annual dividend | $2.16 | $1.51 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.28B | $266.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +17.11% | -6.13% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $518.50M | $17.84B |
| Gross margin | 90.63% | — |
| Operating margin | 35.72% | — |
| Net margin | 22.77% | 6.68% |
| 52-week high | $97.06 | $101.17 |
| 52-week low | $75.03 | $68.63 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.96% | -0.98% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.23% | +4.10% |
| Average volume | 711.54K | 6.53M |
| Shares outstanding | 95.05M | 2.85B |
| Employees | 2,322 | 84,000 |
| Sector | Utilities | Energy |
| Industry | Oil/Gas Transmission | 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
- Shell is about 38.1 times larger than National Fuel Gas by market value ($285.13B vs $7.48B).
- SHEL has outperformed NFG by 44.6 percentage points over the past year.
- National Fuel Gas offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.75% vs 1.51%).
- National Fuel Gas is more profitable, keeping 22.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.7 cents for Shell.
- National Fuel Gas grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+17.11% vs -6.13%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: National Fuel Gas in Utilities and Shell in Energy.
About National Fuel Gas
NFG stock →National Fuel Gas Company operates as a diversified energy company. It operates through Integrated Upstream and Gathering, Pipeline and Storage, and Utility segments.
Utilities · Oil/Gas Transmission · 2,322 employees
About Shell
SHEL stock →Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and other parts of the Americas. It operates through the following segments: Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 84,000 employees
NFG vs SHEL FAQ
Which is bigger, National Fuel Gas or Shell?
Shell (SHEL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $285.13B compared with $7.48B for National Fuel Gas (NFG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NFG or SHEL?
SHEL returned +36.24% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.33% for NFG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NFG or SHEL?
NFG has the lower trailing P/E at 11.0, versus 11.1 for SHEL. 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, National Fuel Gas or Shell?
National Fuel Gas has the higher yield at 2.75%, compared with 1.51% for Shell.
Are National Fuel Gas and Shell in the same industry?
No. National Fuel Gas is in the Utilities sector, while Shell is in Energy.