YPF
EnergyYPF Sociedad Anónima · Oil & Gas Integrated · $19B
What is YPF Sociedad Anónima?
YPF Sociedad Anónima is Argentina's largest integrated energy company, operating across the full oil and gas value chain. From upstream exploration to downstream refining and retail fuel distribution, YPF touches nearly every segment of Argentina's energy market.
YPF explores, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids across Argentina's major basins, including the prolific Vaca Muerta shale formation. On the downstream side, the company refines petroleum products, distributes fuel through a nationwide network of branded service stations, and operates power generation assets. It also produces petrochemicals, LPG, and biofuels, making it a vertically integrated energy operator with significant national reach.
YPF was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production
- Petroleum refining across three major Argentine refineries
- Retail fuel distribution via YPF-branded service stations
- Power generation from multiple plants across Argentina
- Petrochemicals, LPG, lubricants, and biofuels
Is YPF a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates YPF as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful structural challenges alongside pockets of opportunity.
The Growth pillar stands out as the clearest bright spot, supported by YPF's exposure to Vaca Muerta — one of the world's largest unconventional hydrocarbon reserves. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, suggesting the market may already be pricing in significant headwinds, which could interest contrarian-minded investors. Risk is rated Neutral, indicating a balanced but not alarming near-term risk profile.
Both the Quality and Moat pillars are rated Weak, pointing to below-average returns on capital and limited competitive insulation relative to global energy peers — concerns amplified by Argentina's macroeconomic volatility.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does YPF pay dividends?
No — YPF Sociedad Anónima does not currently pay a dividend.
YPF does not currently pay a dividend. Given the company's capital-intensive upstream development program — particularly around Vaca Muerta — available cash flow is directed toward exploration, production growth, and debt management rather than shareholder distributions. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment.
When does YPF report earnings?
YPF Sociedad Anónima reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with its listing obligations as a US-traded ADR.
Results have reflected the dual pressures of Argentine peso depreciation and domestic fuel price regulation, which can compress realized margins even when global oil prices are favorable. Growth in upstream volumes, particularly from unconventional plays, has been a partial offset.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit YPF's official investor relations page.
YPF Price History
+817.7% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in YPF Sociedad Anónima?
Based on YPF Sociedad Anónima's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
YPF Long-term Outlook
YPF's Growth pillar rating of Good reflects genuine production expansion potential, anchored by ongoing Vaca Muerta development. However, the Weak Quality and Moat ratings temper the fundamental outlook — sustained value creation depends heavily on Argentina's regulatory environment and currency stability. The Attractive Valuation rating suggests limited near-term downside may already be reflected in the share price, but the Risk pillar's Neutral rating is a reminder that macro conditions can shift quickly in emerging markets.
Growth drivers
- Vaca Muerta unconventional resource development scaling production volumes
- Downstream infrastructure expansion and refining capacity utilization
- Power generation growth tied to Argentina's domestic energy demand
Key risks
- Argentine peso volatility and domestic fuel price controls compressing margins
- Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power versus global integrated peers
- Sovereign and regulatory risk inherent to Argentina's energy policy environment
YPF vs Peers
YPF operates in a global energy landscape alongside other large integrated and upstream-focused producers, each with distinct geographic and operational profiles.
Colombia's state-controlled oil major offers a similar Latin American emerging-market profile but with a different regulatory and fiscal framework.
A US-based integrated natural gas company with a more stable regulatory environment and consistent dividend history, contrasting with YPF's Argentina-specific risks.
A Canadian integrated oil sands and downstream operator with greater capital market access and a more established free cash flow track record than YPF.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does YPF Sociedad Anónima do?
YPF is Argentina's largest integrated energy company. It explores and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, refines petroleum products, and distributes fuel through a nationwide network of branded service stations. The company also operates power generation plants and produces petrochemicals and biofuels.
Does YPF pay dividends?
YPF does not currently pay a dividend. The company prioritizes capital reinvestment — particularly in upstream development projects like Vaca Muerta — over shareholder distributions. Investors seeking income should consider this when evaluating YPF against dividend-paying energy peers.
When does YPF report earnings?
YPF reports financial results on a quarterly basis, in line with its obligations as a US-listed ADR. For precise reporting dates and the most recent quarterly results, check YPF's investor relations page directly.
Is YPF a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates YPF as Below Average overall. The Growth pillar is rated Good and Valuation is Attractive, but both Quality and Moat are rated Weak — reflecting structural challenges tied to Argentina's macro environment. Whether it fits a portfolio depends on individual risk tolerance and emerging-market exposure goals.
Is YPF overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for YPF is rated Attractive, suggesting the current market price may already reflect significant country and operational risks. This does not guarantee upside, but it indicates the stock is not trading at a premium relative to its fundamental profile.
How does YPF compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Ecopetrol, Cenovus, and National Fuel Gas, YPF carries a higher degree of country-specific risk given Argentina's macroeconomic volatility. Its Vaca Muerta exposure offers growth potential that some regional peers lack, but weaker Quality and Moat ratings distinguish it from more capital-efficient operators.
What is YPF's market cap bracket?
YPF is classified as a large-cap company. Despite operating in an emerging market with significant currency and regulatory risk, its scale across upstream, downstream, and power generation gives it a substantial asset base relative to regional energy peers.
Who founded YPF?
YPF Sociedad Anónima was established in 1993, though the YPF brand has deeper roots in Argentina's state oil history dating back to 1922. The 1993 entity reflects the company's privatization-era restructuring. Detailed founding history is widely available through public sources.
Is YPF a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, UQS rates YPF Below Average. The Weak Quality and Moat pillar ratings suggest limited durable competitive advantages and below-average capital efficiency. Long-term investors should weigh Vaca Muerta's resource potential against Argentina's persistent macroeconomic and regulatory uncertainty.
What is the main competitive advantage of YPF?
YPF's primary structural advantage is its dominant position in Argentina's energy sector and its access to Vaca Muerta, one of the world's largest unconventional shale formations. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating this advantage has not yet translated into consistently superior financial returns.
What sector does YPF belong to?
YPF operates in the Energy sector, specifically as an integrated oil and gas company. It spans upstream exploration and production, downstream refining and distribution, and power generation — making it one of the most broadly diversified energy operators in Latin America.
Unlock Full YPF Analysis
Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.
- ✓View the complete five-pillar UQS Score breakdown
- ✓Access full financial metrics and trend data
- ✓Compare YPF against sector peers side by side
- ✓See Valuation and Risk signals in detail
- ✓Get the complete analyst-grade quality view
Pro Analysis
YPF — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | 41.4 | 13.8 | 15.0 | 59.4 | 48.6 | 100.0 | +3.2 |
| May 18, 2026 | 38.2 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 59.4 | 46.4 | 83.1 | -0.2 |
| May 16, 2026 | 38.4 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 59.6 | 46.4 | 84.0 | -2.0 |
| May 13, 2026 | 40.4 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 61.3 | 46.4 | 95.2 | +0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 40.3 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 60.7 | 46.4 | 95.1 | +1.8 |
| May 7, 2026 | 38.5 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 59.7 | 46.4 | 84.2 | +0.2 |
| May 5, 2026 | 38.3 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 59.7 | 46.4 | 82.8 | -1.2 |
| May 1, 2026 | 39.5 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 56.2 | 46.4 | 95.4 | -0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 39.7 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 57.4 | 46.4 | 95.4 | -0.1 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 39.8 | 12.8 | 15.0 | 57.5 | 46.4 | 95.8 | -0.6 |
YPF — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 13.8/100 (25%)YPF Sociedad Anónima currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 59.4/100 (20%)YPF Sociedad Anónima demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 48.6/100 (15%)YPF Sociedad Anónima has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 100.0/100 (15%)YPF Sociedad Anónima appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 15/100 (25%)YPF Sociedad Anónima operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for YPF.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the YPF UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for YPF Sociedad Anónima is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses YPF Sociedad Anónima's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether YPF Sociedad Anónima is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.