SURG vs SSTK

For growth investors, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the stronger pick with 5. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -55. 6% for SurgePays, Inc. (SURG). Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK) offers the better valuation at 13. 6x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK) a "Hold" — 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.

Over the past 5 years, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) delivered a total return of -73. 5%, compared to -92. 8% for SurgePays, Inc. (SURG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SSTK returned -34. 5% versus SURG's -99. 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), SurgePays, Inc.

(SURG) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 30β versus Shutterstock, Inc. 's 1. 48β — meaning SSTK is approximately 14% more volatile than SURG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, SurgePays, Inc. (SURG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 30% versus 55% for Shutterstock, 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 -55. 6% for SurgePays, Inc. (SURG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Shutterstock, Inc. grew EPS 23. 8% year-over-year, compared to -273. 2% for SurgePays, 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 -75. 1% for SurgePays, 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 -68. 6% for SURG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SSTK leads at 58. 2%, 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.

In this comparison, SSTK (7.

6% yield) pays a dividend. SURG 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. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SSTK: -34. 5%, SURG: -99. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (SURG (Technology) and SSTK (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

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