CON vs AMSF vs OHI vs CCRN vs ENSG

For growth investors, The Ensign Group, Inc.

(ENSG) is the stronger pick with 18. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -21. 6% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) offers the better valuation at 12. 3x trailing P/E (14. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Concentra Group Holdings Parent, Inc. (CON) a "Buy" — based on 4 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.

On trailing P/E, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the cheapest at 12. 3x versus The Ensign Group, Inc. at 29. 8x. On forward P/E, AMERISAFE, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 4x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. wins at 1. 00x versus The Ensign Group, Inc. 's 1. 68x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, The Ensign Group, Inc.

(ENSG) delivered a total return of +103. 2%, compared to -22. 5% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ENSG returned +752. 0% versus CCRN's -10. 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), Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

(OHI) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 13β versus Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. 's 0. 78β — meaning CCRN is approximately -708% more volatile than OHI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 5% for Concentra Group Holdings Parent, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), The Ensign Group, Inc.

(ENSG) is pulling ahead at 18. 7% versus -21. 6% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. grew EPS 25. 2% year-over-year, compared to -565. 9% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ENSG leads at 18. 7% 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.

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

(OHI) is the more profitable company, earning 49. 3% net margin versus -9. 0% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. — meaning it keeps 49. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CON leads at 96. 5% versus -0. 3% for CCRN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AMSF leads at 46. 4%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (OHI) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 00x versus The Ensign Group, Inc. 's 1. 68x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) trades at 14. 4x forward P/E versus 133. 8x for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. — 119. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AMSF: 46. 9% to $44. 50.

In this comparison, AMSF (8.

4% yield), OHI (5. 4% yield), CON (1. 1% yield), ENSG (0. 1% yield) pay a dividend. CCRN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

(OHI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 13), 5. 4% yield, +110. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (OHI: +110. 0%, CCRN: -10. 5%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (CON (Healthcare) and AMSF (Financial Services) and OHI (Real Estate) and CCRN (Healthcare) and ENSG (Healthcare)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CON is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AMSF is a small-cap deep-value stock; OHI is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; CCRN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ENSG is a mid-cap high-growth stock. CON, AMSF, OHI pay a dividend while CCRN, ENSG 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.