Viper Energy (VNOM) vs Western Midstream Partners (WES)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Western Midstream Partners (WES) has outperformed Viper Energy (VNOM) over the past year, gaining 19.6% versus a gain of 7.2%. Over five years, WES leads with a +97.5% price change compared with +71.1% for VNOM. Western Midstream Partners is the larger company by market cap ($18.82 billion vs $14.75 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while Viper Energy is growing revenue faster (+62.0% vs +6.6%).
On valuation, Western Midstream Partners trades at a lower forward P/E (11.9x vs 16.3x for Viper Energy). Western Midstream Partners offers the higher dividend yield (8.08% vs 5.97%). Western Midstream Partners converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 30.7% versus -4.9%.
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 | VNOM | WES |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $41.07 | $45.55 |
| Market cap | $14.75B | $18.82B |
| 1-day change | -1.25% | -1.36% |
| YTD return | +6.32% | +16.91% |
| 1-year return | +7.20% | +19.64% |
| 5-year return | +71.13% | +97.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 14.41 |
| Forward P/E | 16.30 | 11.89 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.02 | $3.16 |
| Dividend yield | 5.97% | 8.08% |
| Annual dividend | $2.45 | $3.68 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.40B | $3.84B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +62.02% | +6.61% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-68.00M | $1.18B |
| Gross margin | — | 94.61% |
| Operating margin | -10.04% | 41.67% |
| Net margin | -4.87% | 30.73% |
| 52-week high | $51.13 | $50.07 |
| 52-week low | $35.10 | $36.90 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.68% | -9.03% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +33.80% | +9.09% |
| Average volume | 1.69M | 824.08K |
| Shares outstanding | 194.41M | 413.17M |
| Employees | — | 1,704 |
| Sector | Energy | Utilities |
| Industry | Oil & Gas Production | Natural Gas Distribution |
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
- WES has outperformed VNOM by 12.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Western Midstream Partners offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (8.08% vs 5.97%).
- Western Midstream Partners is more profitable, keeping 30.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -4.9 cents for Viper Energy.
- Viper Energy grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+62.02% vs +6.61%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Viper Energy in Energy and Western Midstream Partners in Utilities.
About Viper Energy
VNOM stock →Viper Energy, Inc. owns, acquires, and exploits oil and natural gas properties in North America.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production
About Western Midstream Partners
WES stock →Western Midstream Partners, LP, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a midstream energy company primarily in the United States. The company is involved in gathering, compressing, treating, processing, and transporting natural gas; gathering, stabilizing, and transporting condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and crude oil; and gathering and disposing of produced water.
Utilities · Natural Gas Distribution · 1,704 employees
VNOM vs WES FAQ
Which is bigger, Viper Energy or Western Midstream Partners?
Western Midstream Partners (WES) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.82B compared with $14.75B for Viper Energy (VNOM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, VNOM or WES?
WES returned +19.64% over the past 12 months, compared with +7.20% for VNOM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Viper Energy or Western Midstream Partners?
Western Midstream Partners has the higher yield at 8.08%, compared with 5.97% for Viper Energy.
Are Viper Energy and Western Midstream Partners in the same industry?
No. Viper Energy is in the Energy sector, while Western Midstream Partners is in Utilities.