ITRG vs MUX

McEwen Mining Inc.

(MUX) offers the better valuation at 41. 1x trailing P/E (21. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Integra Resources Corp. (ITRG) a "Buy" — based on 1 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 forward P/E, Integra Resources Corp.

is actually cheaper at 6. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, McEwen Mining Inc.

(MUX) delivered a total return of +93. 8%, compared to -62. 3% for Integra Resources Corp. (ITRG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MUX returned +3. 5% versus ITRG's -72. 4%. 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), Integra Resources Corp.

(ITRG) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 22β versus McEwen Mining Inc. 's 1. 49β — meaning MUX is approximately 21% more volatile than ITRG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 19% for Integra Resources Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: McEwen Mining Inc.

grew EPS 168. 6% year-over-year, compared to 85. 3% for Integra Resources Corp.. 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.

McEwen Mining Inc.

(MUX) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 4% net margin versus -31. 3% for Integra Resources Corp. — meaning it keeps 17. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MUX leads at -6. 5% versus -51. 7% for ITRG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ITRG leads at 17. 7%, 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, Integra Resources Corp.

(ITRG) trades at 6. 2x forward P/E versus 21. 0x for McEwen Mining Inc. — 14. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ITRG: 142. 2% to $7. 00.

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, Integra Resources Corp.

(ITRG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 22)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ITRG: -72. 4%, MUX: +3. 5%), 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 Basic Materials 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.