WHD vs ACDC

For growth investors, Cactus, Inc.

(WHD) is the stronger pick with -4. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -11. 4% for ProFrac Holding Corp. (ACDC). Cactus, Inc. (WHD) offers the better valuation at 22. 6x trailing P/E (19. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Cactus, Inc. (WHD) 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, Cactus, Inc.

(WHD) delivered a total return of +67. 0%, compared to -60. 6% for ProFrac Holding Corp. (ACDC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WHD returned +183. 6% versus ACDC's -60. 6%. 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), ProFrac Holding Corp.

(ACDC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 83β versus Cactus, Inc. 's 1. 29β — meaning WHD is approximately 57% more volatile than ACDC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Cactus, Inc. (WHD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 130% for ProFrac Holding Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(WHD) is pulling ahead at -4. 5% versus -11. 4% for ProFrac Holding Corp. (ACDC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cactus, Inc. grew EPS -13. 0% year-over-year, compared to -66. 7% for ProFrac Holding Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WHD leads at 16. 2% 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.

Cactus, Inc.

(WHD) is the more profitable company, earning 15. 4% net margin versus -19. 0% for ProFrac Holding Corp. — meaning it keeps 15. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WHD leads at 23. 2% versus -6. 9% for ACDC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WHD leads at 54. 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WHD: 18.

3% to $64. 50.

In this comparison, WHD (1.

4% yield) pays a dividend. ACDC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Cactus, Inc.

(WHD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 29), 1. 4% yield, +183. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (WHD: +183. 6%, ACDC: -60. 6%), 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 Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

WHD pays a dividend while ACDC 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.