CAI vs FDMT vs BEAM vs EXAS

For growth investors, 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc.

(FDMT) is the stronger pick with 2302% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 17. 7% for Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS). Analysts rate Caris Life Sciences, Inc. (CAI) a "Buy" — based on 6 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, Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) delivered a total return of +0.

4%, compared to -69. 7% for 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc. (FDMT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EXAS returned +1669% versus FDMT's -75. 5%. 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), Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

12β versus Beam Therapeutics Inc. 's 2. 14β — meaning BEAM is approximately 1677% more volatile than EXAS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc. (FDMT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 105% for Exact Sciences Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc.

(FDMT) is pulling ahead at 2302% versus 17. 7% for Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Beam Therapeutics Inc. grew EPS 82. 3% year-over-year, compared to 18. 8% for 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FDMT leads at 200. 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.

Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) is the more profitable company, earning -6.

4% net margin versus -164. 4% for 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps -6. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CAI leads at 5. 6% versus -274. 6% for BEAM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FDMT leads at 91. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Caris Life Sciences, Inc.

(CAI) trades at 164. 6x forward P/E versus 582. 8x for Exact Sciences Corporation — 418. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FDMT: 232. 3% to $33. 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, Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

12), +1669% 10Y return). Beam Therapeutics Inc. (BEAM) carries a higher beta of 2. 14 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (EXAS: +1669%, BEAM: +67. 8%), 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.

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.