Shell (SHEL) vs ExxonMobil (XOM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
ExxonMobil (XOM) has outperformed Shell (SHEL) over the past year, gaining 47.8% versus a gain of 35.2%. Over five years, XOM leads with a +169.2% price change compared with +105.7% for SHEL. ExxonMobil is the larger company by market cap ($692.86 billion vs $285.26 billion), about 2.4 times the size.
On valuation, Shell trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 14.8x for ExxonMobil). ExxonMobil offers the higher dividend yield (2.42% vs 1.51%).
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 | SHEL | XOM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $100.20 | $168.50 |
| Market cap | $285.26B | $692.86B |
| 1-day change | +3.46% | +2.71% |
| YTD return | +36.36% | +40.02% |
| 1-year return | +35.19% | +47.78% |
| 5-year return | +105.71% | +169.21% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.06 | 21.69 |
| Forward P/E | 9.56 | 14.79 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.06 | $7.77 |
| Dividend yield | 1.51% | 2.42% |
| Annual dividend | $1.51 | $4.08 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $266.89B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -6.13% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $17.84B | — |
| Net margin | 6.68% | — |
| 52-week high | $100.60 | $176.41 |
| 52-week low | $68.63 | $110.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -0.40% | -4.48% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +3.87% | +3.05% |
| Average volume | 6.37M | 13.98M |
| Shares outstanding | 2.85B | 4.11B |
| Employees | 84,000 | 57,900 |
| Sector | Energy | Energy |
| Industry | Oil & Gas Production | Integrated oil Companies |
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
- ExxonMobil is about 2.4 times larger than Shell by market value ($692.86B vs $285.26B).
- XOM has outperformed SHEL by 12.6 percentage points over the past year.
- ExxonMobil trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.7x vs 11.1x trailing P/E).
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
About ExxonMobil
XOM stock →ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments.
Energy · Integrated oil Companies · 57,900 employees
SHEL vs XOM FAQ
Which is bigger, Shell or ExxonMobil?
ExxonMobil (XOM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $692.86B compared with $285.26B for Shell (SHEL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SHEL or XOM?
XOM returned +47.78% over the past 12 months, compared with +35.19% for SHEL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SHEL or XOM?
SHEL has the lower trailing P/E at 11.1, versus 21.7 for XOM. 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, Shell or ExxonMobil?
ExxonMobil has the higher yield at 2.42%, compared with 1.51% for Shell.
Are Shell and ExxonMobil in the same industry?
Both are in the Energy sector, but in different industries: Oil & Gas Production for Shell and Integrated oil Companies for ExxonMobil.