EDTK vs FEDU vs GOTU vs IQ vs TAL

For growth investors, Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc.

(FEDU) is the stronger pick with 100. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -55. 3% for Skillful Craftsman Education Technology Limited (EDTK). TAL Education Group (TAL) offers the better valuation at 9. 0x trailing P/E (18. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate iQIYI, Inc. (IQ) 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.

On trailing P/E, TAL Education Group (TAL) is the cheapest at 9.

0x versus Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc. at 18. 8x. On forward P/E, iQIYI, Inc. is actually cheaper at 4. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc.

(FEDU) delivered a total return of -40. 8%, compared to -92. 4% for Gaotu Techedu Inc. (GOTU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TAL returned +27. 3% versus IQ's -92. 2%. 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), Skillful Craftsman Education Technology Limited (EDTK) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

19β versus iQIYI, Inc. 's 1. 43β — meaning IQ is approximately -856% more volatile than EDTK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Skillful Craftsman Education Technology Limited (EDTK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 106% for iQIYI, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc.

(FEDU) is pulling ahead at 100. 1% versus -55. 3% for Skillful Craftsman Education Technology Limited (EDTK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: TAL Education Group grew EPS 24. 7% year-over-year, compared to -145. 0% for Gaotu Techedu Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FEDU leads at 0. 1% 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.

TAL Education Group (TAL) is the more profitable company, earning 3.

8% net margin versus -333. 3% for Skillful Craftsman Education Technology Limited — meaning it keeps 3. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IQ leads at 6. 2% versus -116. 4% for EDTK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EDTK leads at 78. 2%, 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, iQIYI, Inc.

(IQ) trades at 4. 8x forward P/E versus 18. 1x for TAL Education Group — 13. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IQ: 78. 5% to $2. 16.

In this comparison, FEDU (100.

0% yield) pays a dividend. EDTK, GOTU, IQ, TAL do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc.

(FEDU) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 29), 100. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FEDU: -88. 5%, IQ: -92. 2%), 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 (EDTK (Consumer Defensive) and FEDU (Consumer Defensive) and GOTU (Consumer Defensive) and IQ (Communication Services) and TAL (Consumer Defensive)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: EDTK is a small-cap quality compounder stock; FEDU is a small-cap high-growth stock; GOTU is a small-cap high-growth stock; IQ is a small-cap deep-value stock; TAL is a small-cap high-growth stock. FEDU pays a dividend while EDTK, GOTU, IQ, TAL 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.