ADT vs CSGP

For growth investors, CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the stronger pick with 18. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 7% for ADT Inc. (ADT). ADT Inc. (ADT) offers the better valuation at 10. 4x trailing P/E (7. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ADT Inc. (ADT) a "Buy" — based on 17 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, ADT Inc.

(ADT) is the cheapest at 10. 4x versus CoStar Group, Inc. at 2052. 4x. On forward P/E, ADT Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 6x.

Over the past 5 years, ADT Inc.

(ADT) delivered a total return of -17. 4%, compared to -58. 5% for CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CSGP returned +74. 0% versus ADT's -27. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 80β versus ADT Inc. 's 0. 98β — meaning ADT is approximately 23% more volatile than CSGP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 14% versus 2% for ADT Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is pulling ahead at 18. 7% versus 4. 7% for ADT Inc. (ADT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ADT Inc. grew EPS 28. 8% year-over-year, compared to -95. 1% for CoStar Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CSGP leads at 14. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

ADT Inc.

(ADT) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 6% net margin versus 0. 2% for CoStar Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ADT leads at 26. 0% versus -2. 2% for CSGP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CSGP leads at 75. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, ADT Inc.

(ADT) trades at 7. 6x forward P/E versus 25. 2x for CoStar Group, Inc. — 17. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CSGP: 81. 7% to $61. 91.

In this comparison, ADT (3.

0% yield) pays a dividend. CSGP does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, ADT Inc.

(ADT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 98), 3. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ADT: -27. 2%, CSGP: +74. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (ADT (Industrials) and CSGP (Real Estate)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: ADT is a small-cap deep-value stock; CSGP is a mid-cap high-growth stock. ADT pays a dividend while CSGP does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.