Insurance - Diversified
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GSHD vs RYAN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Insurance - Specialty
GSHD vs RYAN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Diversified | Insurance - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $972M | $3.81B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $383M | $3.16B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $30M | $132M |
| Gross Margin | 73.7% | 69.4% |
| Operating Margin | 20.2% | 16.6% |
| Forward P/E | 19.4x | 14.9x |
| Total Debt | $352M | $3.53B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $34M | $158M |
GSHD vs RYAN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jul 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goosehead Insurance… (GSHD) | 100 | 35.0 | -65.0% |
| Ryan Specialty Hold… (RYAN) | 100 | 107.5 | +7.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: GSHD vs RYAN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
GSHD is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.64, yield 9.3%
- 218.6% 10Y total return vs RYAN's 11.5%
- Beta 0.64, yield 9.3%, current ratio 7.60x
RYAN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 21.3%, EPS growth -33.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 20.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.23, current ratio 7.51x
- 21.3% revenue growth vs GSHD's 16.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 21.3% revenue growth vs GSHD's 16.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (14.9x vs 19.4x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Combined ratio 0.8 vs GSHD's 0.8 (lower = better underwriting) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.23 vs GSHD's 0.64 | |
| Dividends | 9.3% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs RYAN's 0.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -56.8% vs GSHD's -60.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 7.4% ROA vs RYAN's 1.3%, ROIC 38.6% vs 10.8% |
GSHD vs RYAN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
GSHD vs RYAN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GSHD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RYAN is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.2B annually — 8.2x GSHD's $383M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 7.9% (GSHD) to 4.2% (RYAN). On growth, GSHD holds the edge at +23.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $383M | $3.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $90M | $743M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $30M | $132M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $95M | $555M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +73.7% | +69.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +20.2% | +16.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.9% | +4.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +24.9% | +17.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +23.1% | +15.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.1% | +2.4% |
Valuation Metrics
RYAN leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 39.5x trailing earnings, GSHD trades at a 37% valuation discount to RYAN's 62.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, RYAN's 7.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GSHD's 15.0x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $972M | $3.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.3B | $7.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 39.49x | 62.53x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 19.42x | 14.90x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.58x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.05x | 7.87x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.66x | 1.25x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 6.53x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.29x | 6.62x |
Profitability & Efficiency
GSHD leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GSHD scores 7/9 vs RYAN's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | +10.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.4% | +1.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +38.6% | +10.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +19.0% | +6.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 2.82x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $318M | $3.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $34M | $158M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $352M | $3.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.55x | 2.29x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
GSHD leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in RYAN five years ago would be worth $11,153 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,869 for GSHD. Over the past 12 months, RYAN leads with a -56.8% total return vs GSHD's -60.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GSHD at -7.6% vs RYAN's -10.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -41.5% | -41.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -60.0% | -56.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -21.0% | -29.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -51.3% | +11.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +218.6% | +11.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -7.6% | -10.9% |
Risk & Volatility
RYAN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
RYAN is the less volatile stock with a 0.23 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than GSHD's 0.64 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. RYAN currently trades 40.5% from its 52-week high vs GSHD's 35.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.64x | 0.23x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $114.76 | $72.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $39.64 | $29.37 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +35.8% | +40.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 42.4 | 31.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 429K | 2.1M |
Analyst Outlook
GSHD leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates GSHD as "Buy" and RYAN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 63.5% upside for GSHD (target: $67) vs 55.2% for RYAN (target: $46). For income investors, GSHD offers the higher dividend yield at 9.32% vs RYAN's 0.76%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $67.14 | $45.60 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 18 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +9.3% | +0.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.83 | $0.22 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +8.4% | +0.1% |
GSHD leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). RYAN leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility).
GSHD vs RYAN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GSHD or RYAN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.
(RYAN) is the stronger pick with 21. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 16. 2% for Goosehead Insurance, Inc (GSHD). Goosehead Insurance, Inc (GSHD) offers the better valuation at 39. 5x trailing P/E (19. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Goosehead Insurance, Inc (GSHD) a "Buy" — based on 18 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.
02Which has the better valuation — GSHD or RYAN?
On trailing P/E, Goosehead Insurance, Inc (GSHD) is the cheapest at 39.
5x versus Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. at 62. 5x. On forward P/E, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — GSHD or RYAN?
Over the past 5 years, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.
(RYAN) delivered a total return of +11. 5%, compared to -51. 3% for Goosehead Insurance, Inc (GSHD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GSHD returned +225. 2% versus RYAN's +20. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — GSHD or RYAN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.
(RYAN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 23β versus Goosehead Insurance, Inc's 0. 64β — meaning GSHD is approximately 175% more volatile than RYAN relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — GSHD or RYAN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.
(RYAN) is pulling ahead at 21. 3% versus 16. 2% for Goosehead Insurance, Inc (GSHD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Goosehead Insurance, Inc grew EPS -10. 3% year-over-year, compared to -33. 8% for Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, RYAN leads at 20. 9% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — GSHD or RYAN?
Goosehead Insurance, Inc (GSHD) is the more profitable company, earning 7.
6% net margin versus 2. 1% for Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RYAN leads at 20. 5% versus 20. 4% for GSHD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RYAN leads at 90. 6%, 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.
07Is GSHD or RYAN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.
(RYAN) trades at 14. 9x forward P/E versus 19. 4x for Goosehead Insurance, Inc — 4. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GSHD: 63. 5% to $67. 14.
08Which pays a better dividend — GSHD or RYAN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Goosehead Insurance, Inc (GSHD) offers the highest yield at 9. 3%, versus 0. 8% for Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (RYAN).
09Is GSHD or RYAN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.
(RYAN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 23), 0. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (RYAN: +20. 0%, GSHD: +225. 2%), 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.
10What are the main differences between GSHD and RYAN?
Both stocks operate in the Financial 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.
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