AZ vs SSTK

For growth investors, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the stronger pick with 5. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -37. 0% for A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. (AZ). Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK) offers the better valuation at 13. 6x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. (AZ) a "Buy" — based on 1 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, A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp.

(AZ) delivered a total return of -65. 9%, compared to -73. 5% for Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AZ returned +283. 9% versus SSTK's -34. 3%. 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), Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 48β versus A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. 's 1. 94β — meaning AZ is approximately 31% more volatile than SSTK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. (AZ) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 20% 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 -37. 0% for A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. (AZ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Shutterstock, Inc. grew EPS 23. 8% year-over-year, compared to -86. 0% for A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AZ leads at 38. 7% 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 -237. 2% for A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. — 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 -204. 2% for AZ. 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. AZ 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). A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. (AZ) carries a higher beta of 1. 94 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SSTK: -34. 3%, AZ: +283. 9%), 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 (AZ (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: AZ is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SSTK is a small-cap deep-value stock. SSTK pays a dividend while AZ 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.