DNA vs CDNA

For growth investors, CareDx, Inc (CDNA) is the stronger pick with 13.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -25. 1% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA). Analysts rate Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA) a "Buy" — based on 11 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, CareDx, Inc (CDNA) delivered a total return of -72.

4%, compared to -97. 4% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CDNA returned +385. 1% versus DNA's -97. 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), CareDx, Inc (CDNA) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

39β versus Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. 's 3. 42β — meaning DNA is approximately 145% more volatile than CDNA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CareDx, Inc (CDNA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 82% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CareDx, Inc (CDNA) is pulling ahead at 13.

8% versus -25. 1% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 46. 5% year-over-year, compared to -143. 0% for CareDx, Inc. Over a 3-year CAGR, CDNA leads at 5. 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.

CareDx, Inc (CDNA) is the more profitable company, earning -5.

6% net margin versus -183. 8% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps -5. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CDNA leads at -5. 5% versus -185. 3% for DNA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DNA leads at 81. 5%, 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 CDNA: 11.

9% to $24. 00.

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, CareDx, Inc (CDNA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+385.

1% 10Y return). Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA) carries a higher beta of 3. 42 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CDNA: +385. 1%, DNA: -97. 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 Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.