GDEN vs GPOR

For growth investors, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the stronger pick with 42.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 8% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN). Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) offers the better valuation at 8. 3x trailing P/E (7. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN) a "Buy" — based on 12 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 forward P/E, Gulfport Energy Corporation is actually cheaper at 7.

0x.

Over the past 5 years, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) delivered a total return of +145.

1%, compared to -21. 7% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GDEN returned +172. 6% versus GPOR's +145. 1%. 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), Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

14β versus Golden Entertainment, Inc. 's 0. 43β — meaning GDEN is approximately 197% more volatile than GPOR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 43% versus 140% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is pulling ahead at 42.

5% versus -4. 8% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Gulfport Energy Corporation grew EPS 245. 9% year-over-year, compared to -113. 5% for Golden Entertainment, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GPOR leads at -17. 2% 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.

Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the more profitable company, earning 32.

3% net margin versus -1. 0% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. — meaning it keeps 32. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GPOR leads at 37. 9% versus 5. 5% for GDEN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GPOR leads at 70. 7%, 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, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) trades at 7.

0x forward P/E versus 50. 5x for Golden Entertainment, Inc. — 43. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GPOR: 35. 3% to $242. 00.

In this comparison, GDEN (3.

5% yield) pays a dividend. GPOR does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Golden Entertainment, Inc.

(GDEN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 43), 3. 5% yield, +172. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GDEN: +172. 6%, GPOR: +145. 1%), 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 (GDEN (Consumer Cyclical) and GPOR (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: GDEN is a small-cap income-oriented stock; GPOR is a small-cap high-growth stock. GDEN pays a dividend while GPOR 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.