CLSKW vs RIOT vs MARA vs CIFR

For growth investors, CleanSpark, Inc.

(CLSKW) is the stronger pick with 102. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 38. 2% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA). CleanSpark, Inc. (CLSKW) offers the better valuation at 0. 3x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT) a "Buy" — based on 18 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, CleanSpark, Inc.

(CLSKW) delivered a total return of +458. 2%, compared to -59. 5% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RIOT returned +787. 3% versus MARA's -51. 6%. 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), CleanSpark, Inc.

(CLSKW) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 65β versus Cipher Mining Inc. 's 3. 87β — meaning CIFR is approximately 46% more volatile than CLSKW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 10% versus 3% for Cipher Mining Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(CLSKW) is pulling ahead at 102. 2% versus 38. 2% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CleanSpark, Inc. grew EPS 262. 3% year-over-year, compared to -1435. 7% for Cipher Mining Inc.. 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.

CleanSpark, Inc.

(CLSKW) is the more profitable company, earning 47. 6% net margin versus -367. 2% for Cipher Mining Inc. — meaning it keeps 47. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CLSKW leads at 41. 6% versus -150. 7% for CIFR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CLSKW leads at 55. 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, CLSKW (11.

0% yield) pays a dividend. RIOT, MARA, CIFR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, CleanSpark, Inc.

(CLSKW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (11. 0% yield, +458. 2% 10Y return). Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA) carries a higher beta of 3. 11 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CLSKW: +458. 2%, MARA: -51. 6%), 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 Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

CLSKW pays a dividend while RIOT, MARA, CIFR do 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.