GETY vs SSTK

For growth investors, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the stronger pick with 5. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 5% for Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (GETY). Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK) offers the better valuation at 13. 2x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (GETY) a "Hold" — based on 8 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, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) delivered a total return of -73. 8%, compared to -92. 0% for Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (GETY). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SSTK returned -36. 5% versus GETY's -92. 1%. 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), Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 48β versus Getty Images Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 99β — meaning GETY is approximately 34% more volatile than SSTK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 55% versus 120% for Getty Images Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(SSTK) is pulling ahead at 5. 8% versus 4. 5% for Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (GETY). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Shutterstock, Inc. grew EPS 23. 8% year-over-year, compared to -624. 7% for Getty Images Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SSTK leads at 6. 1% 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.

Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 6% net margin versus -21. 0% for Getty Images Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SSTK leads at 11. 1% versus 8. 6% for GETY. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GETY leads at 73. 4%, 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 GETY: 723.

3% to $6. 57.

In this comparison, SSTK (7.

8% yield) pays a dividend. GETY does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (7. 8% yield). Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (GETY) carries a higher beta of 1. 99 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SSTK: -36. 5%, GETY: -92. 1%), 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.

In terms of investment character: GETY is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SSTK is a small-cap deep-value stock. SSTK pays a dividend while GETY 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.