APLD vs CORZ

For growth investors, Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) is the stronger pick with 57.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -37. 5% for Core Scientific, Inc. (CORZ). Analysts rate Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) a "Buy" — based on 13 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, Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) delivered a total return of +756.

3%, compared to +550. 0% for Core Scientific, Inc. (CORZ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: APLD returned +756. 3% versus CORZ's +550. 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), Core Scientific, Inc.

(CORZ) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 50β versus Applied Digital Corporation's 3. 23β — meaning APLD is approximately 29% more volatile than CORZ relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) is pulling ahead at 57.

7% versus -37. 5% for Core Scientific, Inc. (CORZ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Core Scientific, Inc. grew EPS 82. 9% year-over-year, compared to 11. 5% for Applied Digital Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, APLD leads at 193. 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.

Core Scientific, Inc.

(CORZ) is the more profitable company, earning -90. 5% net margin versus -107. 2% for Applied Digital Corporation — meaning it keeps -90. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: APLD leads at -33. 5% versus -45. 4% for CORZ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CORZ leads at 11. 9%, 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 APLD: 46.

9% to $61. 00.

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, Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+756.

3% 10Y return). Core Scientific, Inc. (CORZ) carries a higher beta of 2. 50 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (APLD: +756. 3%, CORZ: +550. 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 Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: APLD is a mid-cap high-growth stock; CORZ is a small-cap quality compounder 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.