Head to Head Survey: Natural Resource Partners (NYSE:NRP) and International Seaways (NYSE:INSW)

Natural Resource Partners (NYSE:NRP) and International Seaways (NYSE:INSW) are both energy companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Natural Resource Partners and International Seaways’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Natural Resource Partners	57.13%	16.65%	13.88%
International Seaways	61.98%	31.75%	23.54%

Volatility and Risk

Natural Resource Partners has a beta of 0.24, meaning that its stock price is 76% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, International Seaways has a beta of -0.14, meaning that its stock price is 114% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Natural Resource Partners pays an annual dividend of $3.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. International Seaways pays an annual dividend of $20.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 17.8%. Natural Resource Partners pays out 38.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. International Seaways pays out 129.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Natural Resource Partners and International Seaways”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Natural Resource Partners	$199.97 million	7.72	$136.37 million	$7.84	14.86
International Seaways	$1.26 billion	4.48	$309.26 million	$15.64	7.27

International Seaways has higher revenue and earnings than Natural Resource Partners. International Seaways is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Natural Resource Partners, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

31.8% of Natural Resource Partners shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 67.3% of International Seaways shares are owned by institutional investors. 35.3% of Natural Resource Partners shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.7% of International Seaways shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Natural Resource Partners and International Seaways, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Natural Resource Partners	0	1	0	0	2.00
International Seaways	0	1	6	1	3.00

International Seaways has a consensus price target of $109.80, indicating a potential downside of 3.46%. Given International Seaways’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe International Seaways is more favorable than Natural Resource Partners.

Summary

International Seaways beats Natural Resource Partners on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Natural Resource Partners

Natural Resource Partners L.P., together with its subsidiaries, owns, manages, and leases a portfolio of mineral properties in the United States. It operates in two segments, Mineral Rights and Soda Ash. The company owns interests in coal, soda ash, trona, and other natural resources. Its coal reserves are primarily located in the Appalachia Basin, the Illinois Basin, and the Northern Powder River Basin in the United States; industrial minerals and aggregates properties located in the United States; and oil and gas properties located in Louisiana. The company leases a portion of its reserves in exchange for royalty payments; and owns and leases transportation and processing infrastructure related to coal properties. NRP (GP) LP serves as the general partner of the company. Natural Resource Partners L.P. was incorporated in 2002 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About International Seaways

International Seaways, Inc. owns and operates a fleet of oceangoing vessels for the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products in the international flag trade. It operates in two segments: Crude Tankers and Product Carriers. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned a fleet of 73 vessels. It serves independent and state-owned oil companies, oil traders, refinery operators, and international government entities. The company was formerly known as OSG International, Inc. and changed its name to International Seaways, Inc. in October 2016. International Seaways, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in New York, New York.