CORZ vs MARA

For growth investors, Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.

(MARA) is the stronger pick with 38. 2% 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 +545. 1%, compared to -63. 8% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CORZ returned +545. 1% versus MARA's -54. 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), Core Scientific, Inc.

(CORZ) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 50β versus Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. 's 3. 11β — meaning MARA is approximately 24% more volatile than CORZ relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.

(MARA) is pulling ahead at 38. 2% 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 -314. 5% for Marathon Digital Holdings, 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 -144. 6% for Marathon Digital Holdings, 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 -90. 6% for MARA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CORZ leads at 11. 9%, 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 MARA: 32.

6% to $16. 13.

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, Core Scientific, Inc.

(CORZ) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+545. 1% 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 (CORZ: +545. 1%, MARA: -54. 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 (CORZ (Technology) 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; 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.