AEMD vs TELA

Over the past 5 years, TELA Bio, Inc.

(TELA) delivered a total return of -91. 5%, compared to -99. 8% for Aethlon Medical, Inc. (AEMD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TELA returned -91. 8% versus AEMD's -100. 0%. 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), TELA Bio, Inc.

(TELA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 57β versus Aethlon Medical, Inc. 's 1. 46β — meaning AEMD is approximately 156% more volatile than TELA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Aethlon Medical, Inc. (AEMD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 13% versus 151% for TELA Bio, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: TELA Bio, Inc.

grew EPS 34. 8% year-over-year, compared to -76. 5% for Aethlon Medical, Inc.. 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.

Aethlon Medical, Inc.

(AEMD) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -54. 6% for TELA Bio, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AEMD leads at 0. 0% versus -49. 2% for TELA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TELA leads at 67. 1%, 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.

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, TELA Bio, Inc.

(TELA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 57)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TELA: -91. 8%, AEMD: -100. 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.

Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: AEMD is a small-cap quality compounder stock; TELA is a small-cap high-growth stock. 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.