Education & Training Services
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AACG vs EDU
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Education & Training Services
AACG vs EDU — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Education & Training Services | Education & Training Services |
| Market Cap | $19M | $8.97B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $267M | $4.99B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-48M | $367M |
| Gross Margin | 48.6% | 55.1% |
| Operating Margin | -11.4% | 9.0% |
| Forward P/E | — | 16.2x |
| Total Debt | $46M | $804M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $85M | $1.61B |
AACG vs EDU — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATA Creativity Glob… (AACG) | 100 | 132.2 | +32.2% |
| New Oriental Educat… (EDU) | 100 | 47.0 | -53.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AACG vs EDU
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
AACG is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +32.2% vs EDU's +19.4%
EDU carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.82, yield 1.1%
- Rev growth 13.6%, EPS growth 27.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 16.4%
- 47.3% 10Y total return vs AACG's -59.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 13.6% revenue growth vs AACG's -2.7% | |
| Quality / Margins | 7.4% margin vs AACG's -17.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.82 vs AACG's 1.74, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.1% yield; 5-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +32.2% vs EDU's +19.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 4.8% ROA vs AACG's -10.8%, ROIC 9.9% vs -62.4% |
AACG vs EDU — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
AACG vs EDU — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EDU leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EDU is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.0B annually — 18.7x AACG's $267M. EDU is the more profitable business, keeping 7.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to AACG's -17.9%. On growth, EDU holds the edge at +6.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $267M | $5.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$12M | $563M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$48M | $367M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $5M | $737M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +48.6% | +55.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -11.4% | +9.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -17.9% | +7.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.9% | +14.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -12.9% | +6.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.0% | 0.0% |
Valuation Metrics
AACG leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $19M | $9.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $13M | $8.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2.75x | 24.50x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 16.25x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 15.25x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.49x | 1.83x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.01x | 2.31x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 14.07x |
Profitability & Efficiency
EDU leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EDU delivers a 9.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $-90 for AACG. EDU carries lower financial leverage with a 0.20x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AACG's 1.44x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), EDU scores 7/9 vs AACG's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -89.5% | +9.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -10.8% | +4.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -62.4% | +9.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -35.6% | +9.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.44x | 0.20x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$39M | -$809M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $85M | $1.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $46M | $804M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 1570.90x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — AACG and EDU each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AACG five years ago would be worth $4,089 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3,854 for EDU. Over the past 12 months, AACG leads with a +32.2% total return vs EDU's +19.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EDU at 11.1% vs AACG's -13.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +48.8% | -2.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +32.2% | +19.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -34.6% | +37.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -59.1% | -61.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -59.1% | +47.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -13.2% | +11.1% |
Risk & Volatility
EDU leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EDU is the less volatile stock with a 0.82 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AACG's 1.74 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. EDU currently trades 86.7% from its 52-week high vs AACG's 46.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.74x | 0.82x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $2.58 | $64.97 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.74 | $41.62 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +46.1% | +86.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.2 | 54.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 12K | 689K |
Analyst Outlook
EDU leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
EDU is the only dividend payer here at 1.08% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $68.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.61 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +5.0% |
EDU leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). AACG leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
AACG vs EDU: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AACG or EDU a better buy right now?
For growth investors, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is the stronger pick with 13. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 7% for ATA Creativity Global (AACG). New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (EDU) offers the better valuation at 24. 5x trailing P/E (16. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (EDU) a "Buy" — based on 24 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 — AACG or EDU?
Over the past 5 years, ATA Creativity Global (AACG) delivered a total return of -59.
1%, compared to -61. 5% for New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (EDU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EDU returned +47. 3% versus AACG's -59. 1%. 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 — AACG or EDU?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 82β versus ATA Creativity Global's 1. 74β — meaning AACG is approximately 112% more volatile than EDU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (EDU) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 20% versus 144% for ATA Creativity Global — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — AACG or EDU?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is pulling ahead at 13. 6% versus -2. 7% for ATA Creativity Global (AACG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. grew EPS 27. 8% year-over-year, compared to -27. 8% for ATA Creativity Global. Over a 3-year CAGR, EDU leads at 16. 4% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — AACG or EDU?
New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 6% net margin versus -17. 9% for ATA Creativity Global — meaning it keeps 7. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EDU leads at 8. 7% versus -11. 3% for AACG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EDU leads at 55. 4%, 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 — AACG or EDU?
In this comparison, EDU (1.
1% yield) pays a dividend. AACG does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is AACG or EDU better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 82), 1. 1% yield). ATA Creativity Global (AACG) carries a higher beta of 1. 74 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (EDU: +47. 3%, AACG: -59. 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.
08What are the main differences between AACG and EDU?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Defensive sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
EDU pays a dividend while AACG 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.
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