Comparative Analysis of Top Oil & Gas Stocks: Hascol vs Attock vs PPL vs OGDC

 

Metric	Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL)	Attock Petroleum Limited (APL)	Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL)	Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC)
Status	Private	Private	Government-Owned	Government-Owned
Current Price (PKR)	7.12	413.00	115.55	143.76
Dividend Yield (%)	0.00%	7.12%	3.77%	5.63%
EPS	-12.47	111.09	41.36	54.90
P/E Ratio	-0.57	3.72	2.79	2.62
Price to Sales	0.04	0.09	0.97	1.16
Gross Profit Margin (%)	1.99%	4.19%	67.61%	61.03%
Net Profit Margin (%)	-7.88%	2.63%	37.89%	52.16%
Debt to Equity	-12.21	0.00	0.00	1.43
Free Float %	60.00%	20.00%	31.11%	30.04%
Beta	1.55	1.00	1.64	1.69
52 Week High (PKR)	10.33	469.80	137.90	158.59
52 Week Low (PKR)	4.51	291.00	71.12	93.45
Book Value (PKR)	-80.78	425.15	229.74	284.60
P/B Value	-0.08	0.91	0.46	0.43
Cash Payout Ratio

 

 

1. Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL)
Status: Private	Analysis
Current Price: PKR 7.12 Dividend Yield: 0.00% (No dividends) EPS: -12.47 (Negative) P/E Ratio: -0.57 (Negative) Gross Profit Margin: 1.99% (Very low) Net Profit Margin: -7.88% (Negative) Debt to Equity: -12.21 (Negative)	As a private company with negative earnings and no dividends, Hascol presents high risk. Its financial metrics suggest significant challenges, and the lack of dividends makes it unsuitable for dividend-focused investors.
2. Attock Petroleum Limited (APL)
Status: Private	Analysis
Current Price: PKR 413.00 Dividend Yield: 7.12% EPS: 111.09 (Strong) P/E Ratio: 3.72 (Low) Gross Profit Margin: 4.19% (Moderate) Net Profit Margin: 2.63% (Positive) Debt to Equity: 0.00 (No debt)	Attock Petroleum, being a private company, has a strong dividend yield and solid financials. It’s attractive for dividend-seeking investors due to its high yield and no debt, providing a stable investment option.
3. Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL)
Status: Government-Owned	Analysis
Current Price: PKR 115.55 Dividend Yield: 3.77% EPS: 41.36 (Strong) P/E Ratio: 2.79 (Low) Gross Profit Margin: 67.61% (High) Net Profit Margin: 37.89% (High) Debt to Equity: 0.00 (No debt)	As a government-owned entity, PPL benefits from stability and possibly better regulatory support. It offers a decent dividend yield and has strong profitability metrics. Its government backing might provide added security compared to private companies.
4. Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC)
Status: Government-Owned	Analysis
Current Price: PKR 143.76 Dividend Yield: 5.63% EPS: 54.90 (Strong) P/E Ratio: 2.62 (Low) Gross Profit Margin: 61.03% (High) Net Profit Margin: 52.16% (Very high) Debt to Equity: 1.43 (Higher leverage but manageable)	OGDC’s government ownership contributes to its stability. It offers a good dividend yield and has high profitability metrics. Despite higher leverage, its strong financial performance suggests it can manage its debt well.

 

Comparison and Recommendation

Dividend Yield and Stability:

• Attock Petroleum Limited (APL): Offers the highest dividend yield among all, and its private status with no debt provides a stable investment for income-focused investors.
• Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC): Both are government-owned, which adds a layer of stability. PPL has a good dividend yield with strong financial health, while OGDC offers a higher dividend yield and robust profitability metrics, though with higher leverage.

For Dividend-Focused Investors:

• Attock Petroleum Limited (APL) is the top choice due to its high dividend yield and solid financials, even though it is a private company.

For a Balanced Investment (considering stability and dividends):

• OGDC is a strong contender due to its high dividend yield, strong financial performance, and government backing. It balances dividends with stability and profitability.

Choosing Better Stocks:

1. Dividend Yield: Prefer stocks with higher yields if dividends are your primary focus.
2. Financial Health: Look for strong profitability, manageable debt levels, and good cash flow.
3. Ownership Status: Government-owned companies may offer more stability compared to private ones, but private companies can sometimes offer higher returns.

In summary, if you prioritize high dividends and stability, Attock Petroleum Limited (APL) stands out. For a mix of dividends and financial stability, OGDC is a strong option, while PPL offers a good balance of dividends and stability with strong profitability.