Critical Contrast: Rock Energy Resources (OTCMKTS:RCKE) vs. Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG)

Rock Energy Resources (OTCMKTS:RCKE) and Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings and risk.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

98.8% of Northern Oil and Gas shares are held by institutional investors. 88.0% of Rock Energy Resources shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.8% of Northern Oil and Gas shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Rock Energy Resources and Northern Oil and Gas’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Rock Energy Resources	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northern Oil and Gas	-33.17%	18.43%	7.14%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for Rock Energy Resources and Northern Oil and Gas, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Rock Energy Resources	0	0	0	0	0.00
Northern Oil and Gas	1	4	3	1	2.44

Northern Oil and Gas has a consensus price target of $32.00, indicating a potential upside of 20.63%. Given Northern Oil and Gas’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Northern Oil and Gas is more favorable than Rock Energy Resources.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Rock Energy Resources and Northern Oil and Gas”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Rock Energy Resources	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northern Oil and Gas	$2.48 billion	1.13	$38.76 million	($6.37)	-4.16

Northern Oil and Gas has higher revenue and earnings than Rock Energy Resources.

Summary

Northern Oil and Gas beats Rock Energy Resources on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Rock Energy Resources

Rock Energy Resources, Inc., through its subsidiary, engages in the development of gold and associated mineral assets. It holds interests in the Red Arrow mine. The company was founded on April 16, 2004 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

About Northern Oil and Gas

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in the United States. It primarily holds interests in the Williston Basin, the Appalachian Basin, and the Permian Basin in the United States. The company is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.