SDST
Stardust Power Inc.
Electrical Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$23M
5Y Perf.-98.0%
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Stock Comparison
SDST vs LAC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
LAC
Lithium Americas Corp.
Industrial Materials
Market Cap$1.37B
5Y Perf.+111.2%
SDST vs LAC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SDST | LAC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical Equipment & Parts | Industrial Materials |
| Market Cap | $23M | $1.37B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-22M | $-241M |
| Total Debt | $10M | $23M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $913K | $594M |
SDST vs LAC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SDST
LAC
| Stock | Jun 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stardust Power Inc. (SDST) | 100 | 2.0 | -98.0% |
| Lithium Americas Co… (LAC) | 100 | 211.2 | +111.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SDST vs LAC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LAC leads in 5 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
SDST
Stardust Power Inc.
The Growth Play
SDST is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- EPS growth -450.0%
Best for: growth exposure
LAC
Lithium Americas Corp.
The Income Pick
LAC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- beta 1.42
- 234.9% 10Y total return vs SDST's -98.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.42, Low D/E 2.4%, current ratio 10.33x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | LAC | -6.0% revenue growth vs SDST's -18.0% |
| Quality / Margins | LAC | 1.4% margin vs SDST's -84.4% |
| Stability / Safety | LAC | Beta 1.42 vs SDST's 3.17 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | LAC | +84.4% vs SDST's -52.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | LAC | -16.6% ROA vs SDST's -206.1% |
SDST vs LAC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLLACLAGGINGSDST
SDSTStardust Power Inc.
1leads
LACLithium Americas Corp.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SDSTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
SDST1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
LAC1/1
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
Tied
—
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
LAC6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
LAC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SDST leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SDST and LAC operate at a comparable scale, with $0 and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | SDSTStardust Power In… | LACLithium Americas … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $0 |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$19M | -$32M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$22M | -$241M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$13M | -$648M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +75.9% | -21.4% |
SDST leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
LAC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | SDSTStardust Power In… | LACLithium Americas … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $23M | $1.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $33M | $801M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.43x | -26.95x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 1.20x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
LAC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — SDST and LAC each lead in 2 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SDST scores 3/9 vs LAC's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | SDSTStardust Power In… | LACLithium Americas … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | -26.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.1% | -16.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | -7.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | — | -3.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.02x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $9M | -$571M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $912,574 | $594M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $10M | $23M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.67x | — |
Evenly matched — SDST and LAC each lead in 2 of 4 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LAC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LAC five years ago would be worth $6,869 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $205 for SDST. Over the past 12 months, LAC leads with a +84.4% total return vs SDST's -52.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LAC at -23.7% vs SDST's -72.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SDSTStardust Power In… | LACLithium Americas … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -30.2% | +18.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -52.2% | +84.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -98.0% | -55.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -98.0% | -31.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -98.0% | +234.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -72.6% | -23.7% |
LAC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LAC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LAC is the less volatile stock with a 1.42 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SDST's 3.17 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LAC currently trades 53.8% from its 52-week high vs SDST's 28.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SDSTStardust Power In… | LACLithium Americas … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 3.17x | 1.42x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $8.43 | $10.52 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.42 | $2.47 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +28.2% | +53.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.9 | 69.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 160K | 9.0M |
LAC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | SDSTStardust Power In… | LACLithium Americas … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $7.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
LAC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). SDST leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 1 tied.
Best OverallLithium Americas Corp. (LAC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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SDST vs LAC: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SDST or LAC a better buy right now?
Analysts rate Lithium Americas Corp.
(LAC) a "Hold" — based on 15 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 is the better long-term investment — SDST or LAC?
Over the past 5 years, Lithium Americas Corp.
(LAC) delivered a total return of -31. 3%, compared to -98. 0% for Stardust Power Inc. (SDST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LAC returned +234. 9% versus SDST's -98. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — SDST or LAC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Lithium Americas Corp.
(LAC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 42β versus Stardust Power Inc. 's 3. 17β — meaning SDST is approximately 124% more volatile than LAC relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — SDST or LAC?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Stardust Power Inc.
grew EPS -450. 0% year-over-year, compared to -757. 1% for Lithium Americas 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.
05Which has better profit margins — SDST or LAC?
Stardust Power Inc.
(SDST) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus 0. 0% for Lithium Americas Corp. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SDST leads at 0. 0% versus 0. 0% for LAC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SDST leads at 0. 0%, 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — SDST or LAC?
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.
07Is SDST or LAC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Lithium Americas Corp.
(LAC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+234. 9% 10Y return). Stardust Power Inc. (SDST) carries a higher beta of 3. 17 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LAC: +234. 9%, SDST: -98. 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.
08What are the main differences between SDST and LAC?
These companies operate in different sectors (SDST (Industrials) and LAC (Basic Materials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
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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