CDNA vs EXAS

For growth investors, Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) is the stronger pick with 17.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 13. 8% for CareDx, Inc (CDNA). Analysts rate CareDx, Inc (CDNA) 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, Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) delivered a total return of -2.

9%, compared to -71. 2% for CareDx, Inc (CDNA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EXAS returned +1672% versus CDNA's +380. 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), Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

12β versus CareDx, Inc's 1. 39β — meaning CDNA is approximately 1056% more volatile than EXAS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CareDx, Inc (CDNA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 105% for Exact Sciences Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) is pulling ahead at 17.

7% versus 13. 8% for CareDx, Inc (CDNA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Exact Sciences Corporation grew EPS 80. 3% year-over-year, compared to -143. 0% for CareDx, Inc. Over a 3-year CAGR, EXAS leads at 15. 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.

CareDx, Inc (CDNA) is the more profitable company, earning -5.

6% net margin versus -6. 4% for Exact Sciences Corporation — meaning it keeps -5. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CDNA leads at -5. 5% versus -6. 4% for EXAS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EXAS leads at 69. 7%, 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, CareDx, Inc (CDNA) trades at 22.

3x forward P/E versus 582. 8x for Exact Sciences Corporation — 560. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CDNA: 14. 6% to $24. 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), +1672% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EXAS: +1672%, CDNA: +380. 3%), 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: CDNA is a small-cap quality compounder stock; EXAS is a mid-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.