CYBR vs WALD

For growth investors, CyberArk Software Ltd.

(CYBR) is the stronger pick with 36. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 25. 5% for Waldencast plc (WALD). Analysts rate CyberArk Software Ltd. (CYBR) a "Buy" — based on 49 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, CyberArk Software Ltd.

(CYBR) delivered a total return of +252. 5%, compared to -87. 7% for Waldencast plc (WALD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CYBR returned +901. 6% versus WALD's -87. 7%. 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), CyberArk Software Ltd.

(CYBR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 92β versus Waldencast plc's 1. 60β — meaning WALD is approximately 74% more volatile than CYBR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Waldencast plc (WALD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 25% versus 51% for CyberArk Software Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CyberArk Software Ltd.

(CYBR) is pulling ahead at 36. 0% versus 25. 5% for Waldencast plc (WALD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Waldencast plc grew EPS 56. 2% year-over-year, compared to -38. 2% for CyberArk Software Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CYBR leads at 32. 0% 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.

CyberArk Software Ltd.

(CYBR) is the more profitable company, earning -10. 8% net margin versus -15. 5% for Waldencast plc — meaning it keeps -10. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CYBR leads at -7. 7% versus -21. 4% for WALD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CYBR leads at 74. 3%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WALD: 106.

6% to $2. 50.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, CyberArk Software Ltd.

(CYBR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 92), +901. 6% 10Y return). Waldencast plc (WALD) carries a higher beta of 1. 60 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CYBR: +901. 6%, WALD: -87. 7%), 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 Technology 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.