Occidental Petroleum (OXY) vs Shell (SHEL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Shell (SHEL) has outperformed Occidental Petroleum (OXY) over the past year, gaining 35.2% versus a gain of 33.8%. Over five years, SHEL leads with a +105.7% price change compared with +90.4% for OXY. Shell is the larger company by market cap ($285.26 billion vs $60.26 billion), about 4.7 times the size, while Occidental Petroleum is growing revenue faster (-1.9% vs -6.1%).
On valuation, Shell trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 14.8x for Occidental Petroleum). Occidental Petroleum offers the higher dividend yield (1.66% vs 1.51%). Occidental Petroleum converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.0% 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 | OXY | SHEL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $60.28 | $100.20 |
| Market cap | $60.26B | $285.26B |
| 1-day change | +3.56% | +3.46% |
| YTD return | +46.60% | +36.36% |
| 1-year return | +33.84% | +35.19% |
| 5-year return | +90.40% | +105.71% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.13 | 11.06 |
| Forward P/E | 14.75 | 9.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.52 | $9.06 |
| Dividend yield | 1.66% | 1.51% |
| Annual dividend | $1.00 | $1.51 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.59B | $266.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -1.93% | -6.13% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.37B | $17.84B |
| Net margin | 10.97% | 6.68% |
| 52-week high | $67.45 | $100.60 |
| 52-week low | $38.80 | $68.63 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.63% | -0.40% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.40% | +3.87% |
| Average volume | 8.49M | 6.41M |
| Shares outstanding | 999.64M | 2.85B |
| Employees | 10,412 | 84,000 |
| 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
- Shell is about 4.7 times larger than Occidental Petroleum by market value ($285.26B vs $60.26B).
- Occidental Petroleum trades at a higher earnings multiple (17.1x vs 11.1x trailing P/E).
About Occidental Petroleum
OXY stock →Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States and internationally. It operates through Oil and Gas and Midstream and Marketing.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 10,412 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
OXY vs SHEL FAQ
Which is bigger, Occidental Petroleum or Shell?
Shell (SHEL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $285.26B compared with $60.26B for Occidental Petroleum (OXY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, OXY or SHEL?
SHEL returned +35.19% over the past 12 months, compared with +33.84% for OXY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, OXY or SHEL?
SHEL has the lower trailing P/E at 11.1, versus 17.1 for OXY. 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, Occidental Petroleum or Shell?
Occidental Petroleum has the higher yield at 1.66%, compared with 1.51% for Shell.
Are Occidental Petroleum and Shell in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Oil & Gas Production industry within the Energy sector.