BZFD vs GCI

For growth investors, BuzzFeed, Inc.

(BZFD) is the stronger pick with -2. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 8% for Gannett Co. , Inc. (GCI). Analysts rate Gannett Co. , Inc. (GCI) a "Hold" — based on 16 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, Gannett Co.

, Inc. (GCI) delivered a total return of +33. 6%, compared to -97. 9% for BuzzFeed, Inc. (BZFD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GCI returned -28. 9% versus BZFD's -97. 9%. 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), Gannett Co.

, Inc. (GCI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 79β versus BuzzFeed, Inc. 's 2. 48β — meaning BZFD is approximately 216% more volatile than GCI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, BuzzFeed, Inc. (BZFD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 171% versus 8% for Gannett Co. , Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(BZFD) is pulling ahead at -2. 4% versus -5. 8% for Gannett Co. , Inc. (GCI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Gannett Co. , Inc. grew EPS 10. 0% year-over-year, compared to -68. 1% for BuzzFeed, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GCI leads at -7. 9% 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.

Gannett Co.

, Inc. (GCI) is the more profitable company, earning -1. 1% net margin versus -31. 2% for BuzzFeed, Inc. — meaning it keeps -1. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GCI leads at -1. 7% versus -25. 8% for BZFD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BZFD leads at 40. 5%, 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, Gannett Co.

, Inc. (GCI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 79)). BuzzFeed, Inc. (BZFD) carries a higher beta of 2. 48 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (GCI: -28. 9%, BZFD: -97. 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.

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

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.