CRVL vs AMSF

For growth investors, CorVel Corporation (CRVL) is the stronger pick with 12.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 6% for AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF). 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 AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) a "Buy" — based on 6 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 CorVel Corporation at 31. 7x. On forward P/E, AMERISAFE, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 4x.

Over the past 5 years, CorVel Corporation (CRVL) delivered a total return of +45.

7%, compared to -18. 9% for AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CRVL returned +267. 5% versus AMSF's +31. 8%. 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), AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 23β versus CorVel Corporation's 0. 48β — meaning CRVL is approximately 107% more volatile than AMSF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 9% for CorVel Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CorVel Corporation (CRVL) is pulling ahead at 12.

6% versus 2. 6% for AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CorVel Corporation grew EPS 24. 5% year-over-year, compared to -14. 5% for AMERISAFE, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CRVL leads at 11. 5% 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.

AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 9% net margin versus 10. 6% for CorVel Corporation — meaning it keeps 14. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AMSF leads at 18. 6% versus 13. 5% for CRVL. 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.

On forward earnings alone, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) trades at 14. 4x forward P/E versus 33. 4x for CorVel Corporation — 18. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, AMSF (8.

4% yield) pays a dividend. CRVL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 23), 8. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AMSF: +31. 8%, CRVL: +267. 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.

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.

In terms of investment character: CRVL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AMSF is a small-cap deep-value stock. AMSF pays a dividend while CRVL does 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.