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CMRE vs SBLK
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Marine Shipping
CMRE vs SBLK — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Marine Shipping | Marine Shipping |
| Market Cap | $2.10B | $3.09B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.09B | $1.04B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $365M | $84M |
| Gross Margin | 48.2% | 33.0% |
| Operating Margin | 39.4% | 13.6% |
| Forward P/E | 6.8x | 8.0x |
| Total Debt | $1.51B | $1.07B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $528M | $500M |
CMRE vs SBLK — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costamare Inc. (CMRE) | 100 | 510.0 | +410.0% |
| Star Bulk Carriers … (SBLK) | 100 | 526.7 | +426.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CMRE vs SBLK
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CMRE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.25, yield 3.8%
- Rev growth -57.9%, EPS growth 17.2%, 3Y rev CAGR -7.6%
- Lower P/E (6.8x vs 8.0x)
SBLK is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 9.8% 10Y total return vs CMRE's 242.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.73, Low D/E 43.8%, current ratio 1.78x
- Beta 0.73, yield 1.1%, current ratio 1.78x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -17.6% revenue growth vs CMRE's -57.9% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (6.8x vs 8.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 33.3% margin vs SBLK's 8.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.73 vs CMRE's 1.25, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 3.8% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs SBLK's 1.1% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +153.2% vs SBLK's +83.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.8% ROA vs SBLK's 2.2%, ROIC 9.3% vs 3.2% |
CMRE vs SBLK — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
CMRE vs SBLK — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CMRE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CMRE and SBLK operate at a comparable scale, with $1.1B and $1.0B in trailing revenue. CMRE is the more profitable business, keeping 33.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SBLK's 8.1%. On growth, SBLK holds the edge at -2.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $1.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $550M | $311M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $365M | $84M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $262M | $209M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +48.2% | +33.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +39.4% | +13.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +33.3% | +8.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +23.9% | +20.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -61.3% | -2.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +140.0% | +58.3% |
Valuation Metrics
CMRE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 6.1x trailing earnings, CMRE trades at a 83% valuation discount to SBLK's 36.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CMRE's 5.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SBLK's 11.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.1B | $3.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.1B | $3.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 6.08x | 36.73x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.81x | 8.00x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.75x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 5.11x | 11.87x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.39x | 2.97x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.97x | 1.26x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 4.44x | 14.73x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CMRE leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CMRE delivers a 16.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $16 in annual profit, vs $3 for SBLK. SBLK carries lower financial leverage with a 0.44x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CMRE's 0.70x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CMRE scores 7/9 vs SBLK's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +16.3% | +3.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.8% | +2.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.3% | +3.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.5% | +4.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.70x | 0.44x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $987M | $572M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $528M | $500M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.5B | $1.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.21x | 2.08x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CMRE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CMRE five years ago would be worth $24,622 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $17,911 for SBLK. Over the past 12 months, CMRE leads with a +153.2% total return vs SBLK's +83.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CMRE at 43.9% vs SBLK's 17.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +12.4% | +40.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +153.2% | +83.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +197.9% | +60.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +146.2% | +79.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +242.7% | +977.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +43.9% | +17.1% |
Risk & Volatility
SBLK leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SBLK is the less volatile stock with a 0.73 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CMRE's 1.25 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.25x | 0.73x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $18.05 | $27.20 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.63 | $14.79 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.3% | +98.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.5 | 72.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 388K | 1.4M |
Analyst Outlook
CMRE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CMRE as "Hold" and SBLK as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 8.2% upside for SBLK (target: $29) vs -31.0% for CMRE (target: $12). For income investors, CMRE offers the higher dividend yield at 3.79% vs SBLK's 1.11%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $12.00 | $29.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.8% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.66 | $0.30 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +3.2% |
CMRE leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). SBLK leads in 1 (Risk & Volatility).
CMRE vs SBLK: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CMRE or SBLK a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
(SBLK) is the stronger pick with -17. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -57. 9% for Costamare Inc. (CMRE). Costamare Inc. (CMRE) offers the better valuation at 6. 1x trailing P/E (6. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (SBLK) a "Buy" — based on 24 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.
02Which has the better valuation — CMRE or SBLK?
On trailing P/E, Costamare Inc.
(CMRE) is the cheapest at 6. 1x versus Star Bulk Carriers Corp. at 36. 7x. On forward P/E, Costamare Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CMRE or SBLK?
Over the past 5 years, Costamare Inc.
(CMRE) delivered a total return of +146. 2%, compared to +79. 1% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (SBLK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SBLK returned +977. 3% versus CMRE's +242. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CMRE or SBLK?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
(SBLK) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 73β versus Costamare Inc. 's 1. 25β — meaning CMRE is approximately 70% more volatile than SBLK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (SBLK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 44% versus 70% for Costamare Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CMRE or SBLK?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
(SBLK) is pulling ahead at -17. 6% versus -57. 9% for Costamare Inc. (CMRE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Costamare Inc. grew EPS 17. 2% year-over-year, compared to -73. 9% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CMRE leads at -7. 6% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — CMRE or SBLK?
Costamare Inc.
(CMRE) is the more profitable company, earning 41. 5% net margin versus 8. 1% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. — meaning it keeps 41. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CMRE leads at 51. 7% versus 13. 5% for SBLK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CMRE leads at 57. 3%, 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.
07Is CMRE or SBLK more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Costamare Inc.
(CMRE) trades at 6. 8x forward P/E versus 8. 0x for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. — 1. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SBLK: 8. 2% to $29. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — CMRE or SBLK?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Costamare Inc. (CMRE) offers the highest yield at 3. 8%, versus 1. 1% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (SBLK).
09Is CMRE or SBLK better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
(SBLK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 73), 1. 1% yield, +977. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SBLK: +977. 3%, CMRE: +242. 7%), 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.
10What are the main differences between CMRE and SBLK?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CMRE is a small-cap deep-value stock; SBLK is a small-cap quality compounder 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.
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