CORZ vs CIFR vs RIOT vs MARA

For growth investors, Riot Platforms, Inc.

(RIOT) is the stronger pick with 71. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -37. 5% for Core Scientific, Inc. (CORZ). Analysts rate Core Scientific, Inc. (CORZ) a "Buy" — based on 22 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, Core Scientific, Inc.

(CORZ) delivered a total return of +550. 0%, 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), Core Scientific, Inc.

(CORZ) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 50β versus Cipher Mining Inc. 's 3. 87β — meaning CIFR is approximately 55% more volatile than CORZ 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), Riot Platforms, Inc.

(RIOT) is pulling ahead at 71. 9% versus -37. 5% for Core Scientific, Inc. (CORZ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Core Scientific, Inc. grew EPS 82. 9% 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.

Core Scientific, Inc.

(CORZ) is the more profitable company, earning -90. 5% net margin versus -367. 2% for Cipher Mining Inc. — meaning it keeps -90. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CORZ leads at -45. 4% versus -150. 7% for CIFR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CIFR leads at 28. 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CIFR: 34.

7% to $27. 86.

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, Riot Platforms, Inc.

(RIOT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+787. 3% 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 (RIOT: +787. 3%, 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (CORZ (Technology) and CIFR (Financial Services) and RIOT (Financial Services) and MARA (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CORZ is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CIFR is a small-cap high-growth stock; RIOT is a small-cap high-growth stock; MARA is a small-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.