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EPD vs MPLX
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) vs. MPLX LP (MPLX) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Business overlap: Both EPD and MPLX are large midstream energy master limited partnerships (MLPs), but EPD runs a broader, more diversified pipeline and export network while MPLX leans more heavily on crude logistics and its Marathon Petroleum relationship.
- Financial stability: EPD carries a lower leverage ratio (around 2.9x versus roughly 3.7x for MPLX) and stronger distribution coverage (about 1.9x versus 1.3x), supporting a steadier capital-return profile.
- Growth and income: EPD delivers consistent single-digit distribution growth, while MPLX is executing a faster ~12.5% annual distribution increase alongside a larger near-term capital-spending ramp.
- Recent momentum: EPD has shown stronger relative performance and record volumes across its system in recent quarters, while MPLX posted a first-quarter earnings miss before rebounding on gas and NGL (natural gas liquids) growth.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: Based on trend consistency, balance-sheet strength, and operational breadth, Tickeron's AI would currently favor EPD over MPLX in this head-to-head stock comparison.
- For more detail on each name, explore EPD Major News and EPD Today's Price Move, as well as MPLX Major News and MPLX Today's Price Move.
- To see how automated strategies are navigating this market, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) and MPLX LP (MPLX) are two of the largest energy midstream operators in the United States, both structured as master limited partnerships that generate fee-based cash flow and return capital to unitholders through distributions. Because both names appeal to income-oriented investors seeking exposure to U.S. energy infrastructure, they are frequently weighed against one another. This stock comparison examines their recent performance, business models, growth drivers, and risk profiles to help traders and investors assess relative performance and market positioning in the current environment.
EPD Overview and Recent Performance
EPD, Enterprise Products Partners, operates one of the most diversified and integrated midstream networks in North America, spanning NGL pipelines and fractionation, crude oil and natural gas pipelines, petrochemical services, and marine export terminals. In recent weeks, the partnership has reported record system throughput, record natural gas processing inlet volumes, and record marine export activity, driven by Permian Basin production growth and strong international demand for U.S. energy.
Recent market activity has reflected this momentum. EPD units have posted solid year-to-date gains and a healthy distribution increase (the latest quarterly payout rose roughly 2.8% year over year), extending a track record of more than two decades of consecutive distribution growth. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) has grown by double digits in recent quarters, while distributable cash flow covered the payout by about 1.9 times. A lower leverage ratio and a disciplined buyback program have reinforced sentiment, though elevated growth capital expenditures remain a key variable investors are watching.
MPLX Overview and Recent Performance
MPLX, sponsored by Marathon Petroleum, owns and operates crude oil and refined product pipelines, terminals, and marine logistics, alongside a growing natural gas and NGL gathering, processing, and fractionation business across the Marcellus, Utica, and Permian basins. The partnership has positioned 2026 as a "year of execution," bringing several processing plants and pipelines into service and raising its capital-spending outlook as Gulf Coast fractionation and export work advances.
Recent performance has been mixed but improving. MPLX missed analyst estimates in the first quarter amid higher interest costs and softer crude throughput, before rebounding with an earnings beat in the second quarter on stronger gathering, processing, and fractionation volumes. The partnership has announced an aggressive ~12.5% annual distribution increase for 2026 and 2027, supported by distributable cash flow and a balance sheet with higher leverage than EPD. Unit performance has been positive but more volatile, reflecting the back-half-weighted nature of its growth pipeline.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron maintains a marketplace of hundreds of AI Trading Bots that collectively monitor and trade thousands of different tickers, each with its own trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance statistics, and universe of symbols. Because market conditions shift continuously, only a curated subset of these bots is selected for the Trending AI Robots section, which highlights the strategies currently best aligned with prevailing conditions. These automated systems span a range of approaches, from short-term swing trading to longer-horizon trend following, and their performance metrics are tracked and updated so users can evaluate consistency. For investors and traders interested in applying a systematic, data-driven lens to names like EPD and MPLX, reviewing the Trending AI Robots page offers a practical starting point.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The two partnerships differ most clearly in diversification and balance-sheet positioning. EPD operates a broader asset base with significant exposure to NGL fractionation and marine exports, which has supported record volumes and steadier cash-flow coverage. Its lower leverage (near 2.9x) provides more financial flexibility, though it is also funding a substantial organic growth program.
MPLX, by contrast, carries a larger crude-oil logistics footprint and a stronger tie to Marathon Petroleum's refining activity, which introduces refinery-turnaround sensitivity. Its leverage ratio near 3.7x is higher, but it is pursuing a faster distribution-growth trajectory and directing more than 90% of organic capital toward natural gas and NGL infrastructure, positioning for mid-single-digit EBITDA growth.
On market sentiment and momentum, EPD has demonstrated more consistent relative strength, while MPLX offers a higher yield and faster payout growth in exchange for somewhat greater execution and balance-sheet risk. Sector exposure is similar, but EPD's export-heavy, fee-based model and MPLX's producer-linked gathering business create different sensitivities to commodity prices, volumes, and producer activity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Weighing observable factors such as trend consistency, distribution coverage, leverage, and operational breadth, Tickeron's AI would likely favor EPD over MPLX in the current environment. EPD's steadier cash-flow coverage, lower leverage, record system volumes, and more diversified export capabilities suggest a more durable relative positioning, whereas MPLX's faster distribution growth and heavier capital-spending ramp carry comparatively greater near-term execution uncertainty. This assessment reflects probabilistic, data-driven analysis of current conditions rather than a definitive forecast.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is EPD is a Buy and MPLX is a Hold.
EPD in +5.06% Uptrend, growing for three consecutive days on October 29, 2026
Moving higher for three straight days is viewed as a bullish sign. Keep an eye on this stock for future growth. Considering data from situations where EPD advanced for three days, in 178 of 400 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 44%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 23, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on EPD as a result. In 37 of 91 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 41%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for EPD just turned positive on October 16, 2026. Looking at past instances where EPD's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 19 of 44 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 43%.
EPD moved above its 50-day moving average on October 28, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 112 of 364 cases where EPD Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 31%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for EPD moved out of overbought territory on October 30, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 44 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 18 of the 44 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 41%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 6 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where EPD declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 30%.
EPD broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 28, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 3 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 42, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 32 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 44 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. EPD’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.664) is normal, around the industry mean (160.809). P/E Ratio (12.931) is within average values for comparable stocks, (7.393). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.302) is also within normal values, averaging (13.660). Dividend Yield (0.060) settles around the average of (149858533376.000) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.424) is also within normal values, averaging (4.657).
MPLX in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 28, 2026
MPLX moved above its 50-day moving average on October 28, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 26 of 41 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 14, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on MPLX as a result. In 45 of 87 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 52%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for MPLX just turned positive on October 14, 2026. Looking at past instances where MPLX's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 32 of 52 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
The 10-day moving average for MPLX crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 28, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 8 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
Following a +2.09% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MPLX advanced for three days, in 175 of 350 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 50%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 165 of 404 cases where MPLX Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 41%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 11 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where MPLX declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 32%.
MPLX broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 29, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 2 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 42, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 30 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 35 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 43 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. MPLX’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 80 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (4.260) is normal, around the industry mean (160.809). P/E Ratio (12.675) is within average values for comparable stocks, (7.393). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (3.029) is also within normal values, averaging (13.660). Dividend Yield (0.073) settles around the average of (149858533376.000) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (5.038) is also within normal values, averaging (4.657).
EPD | MPLX | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 15 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 50 Fair valued | 80 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 3 | 2 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 45 | 30 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 44 | 43 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 32 | 35 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 55 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
EPD's Valuation (50) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as MPLX (80). This means that EPD’s stock grew similarly to MPLX’s over the last 12 months.
MPLX's Profit vs Risk Rating (2) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as EPD (3). This means that MPLX’s stock grew similarly to EPD’s over the last 12 months.
MPLX's SMR Rating (30) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as EPD (45). This means that MPLX’s stock grew similarly to EPD’s over the last 12 months.
MPLX's Price Growth Rating (43) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as EPD (44). This means that MPLX’s stock grew similarly to EPD’s over the last 12 months.
EPD's P/E Growth Rating (32) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as MPLX (35). This means that EPD’s stock grew similarly to MPLX’s over the last 12 months.
| EPD | MPLX | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 41% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 25% | 2 days ago 30% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 41% | 2 days ago 52% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 62% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 41% | 2 days ago 49% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 38% | 2 days ago 45% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 44% | 5 days ago 50% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 30% | 8 days ago 32% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 31% | 2 days ago 24% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 31% | 2 days ago 41% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
EPD’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while MPLX’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- EPD’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- MPLX’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
EPD’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MPLX’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- EPD’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- MPLX’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
EPD (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) experienced а +2.47% price change this week, while MPLX (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) price change was +0.49% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Oil & Gas Pipelines industry was -2.61%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -6.07%, and the average quarterly price growth was +0.35%.
Reported Earning Dates
EPD is expected to report earnings on Feb 03, 2027.
MPLX is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Oil & Gas Pipelines (-2.61% weekly)Oil & Gas Pipelines industry includes companies that transport natural gas and crude oil through pipelines. These companies also collect and market the fuels. The pipeline segment could be considered as a midstream operation – functioning as a link between the upstream and downstream operations in the oil and gas industry. Some of the largest U.S. pipeline players include Enterprise Products Partners L.P, TC Energy Corporation and Energy Transfer, L.P.
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MPLX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MPLX has been loosely correlated with DKL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 52% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MPLX jumps, then DKL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MPLX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPLX | 100% | -2.03% | ||
| DKL - MPLX | 52% Loosely correlated | -1.68% | ||
| EPD - MPLX | 47% Loosely correlated | -2.04% | ||
| AM - MPLX | 47% Loosely correlated | -2.79% | ||
| ET - MPLX | 47% Loosely correlated | -2.73% | ||
| PBA - MPLX | 47% Loosely correlated | -1.93% | ||
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