CMLS vs IHRT

For growth investors, iHeartMedia, Inc.

(IHRT) is the stronger pick with 0. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 1% for Cumulus Media Inc. (CMLS). Analysts rate iHeartMedia, Inc. (IHRT) a "Buy" — based on 10 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.

Over the past 5 years, iHeartMedia, Inc.

(IHRT) delivered a total return of -70. 4%, compared to -99. 9% for Cumulus Media Inc. (CMLS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IHRT returned -67. 4% versus CMLS's -100. 0%. 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), iHeartMedia, Inc.

(IHRT) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 82β versus Cumulus Media Inc. 's 1. 87β — meaning CMLS is approximately 3% more volatile than IHRT relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), iHeartMedia, Inc.

(IHRT) is pulling ahead at 0. 3% versus -2. 1% for Cumulus Media Inc. (CMLS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: iHeartMedia, Inc. grew EPS 54. 3% year-over-year, compared to -145. 8% for Cumulus Media Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, IHRT leads at -0. 4% 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.

iHeartMedia, Inc.

(IHRT) is the more profitable company, earning -12. 2% net margin versus -34. 2% for Cumulus Media Inc. — meaning it keeps -12. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IHRT leads at -0. 5% versus -29. 0% for CMLS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IHRT leads at 78. 5%, 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.

In this comparison, IHRT (0.

2% yield) pays a dividend. CMLS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, iHeartMedia, Inc.

(IHRT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding. Cumulus Media Inc. (CMLS) carries a higher beta of 1. 87 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (IHRT: -67. 4%, CMLS: -100. 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.

Both stocks operate in the Communication Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.