GDEN
Golden Entertainment, Inc.
Gambling, Resorts & Casinos
Market Cap$754M
5Y Perf.+134.0%
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Stock Comparison
GDEN vs LVS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
LVS
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Gambling, Resorts & Casinos
Market Cap$35.32B
5Y Perf.+12.4%
GDEN vs LVS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | GDEN | LVS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Gambling, Resorts & Casinos | Gambling, Resorts & Casinos |
| Market Cap | $754M | $35.32B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $635M | $13.74B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-6M | $1.84B |
| Gross Margin | 39.5% | 26.7% |
| Operating Margin | 4.7% | 24.6% |
| Forward P/E | 50.5x | 16.0x |
| Total Debt | $587M | $16.14B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $55M | $3.84B |
GDEN vs LVS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
GDEN
LVS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Entertainmen… (GDEN) | 100 | 234.0 | +134.0% |
| Las Vegas Sands Cor… (LVS) | 100 | 112.4 | +12.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: GDEN vs LVS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LVS leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Golden Entertainment, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
GDEN
Golden Entertainment, Inc.
The Income Pick
GDEN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.43, yield 3.5%
- 180.6% 10Y total return vs LVS's 49.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.43, current ratio 1.17x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
LVS
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
The Growth Play
LVS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 15.2%, EPS growth 19.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 46.9%
- 15.2% revenue growth vs GDEN's -4.8%
- Lower P/E (16.0x vs 50.5x)
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | LVS | 15.2% revenue growth vs GDEN's -4.8% |
| Value | LVS | Lower P/E (16.0x vs 50.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | LVS | 13.4% margin vs GDEN's -1.0% |
| Stability / Safety | GDEN | Beta 0.43 vs LVS's 1.09, lower leverage |
| Dividends | GDEN | 3.5% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs LVS's 2.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | LVS | +40.6% vs GDEN's +15.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | LVS | 8.5% ROA vs GDEN's -0.6%, ROIC 16.9% vs 2.8% |
GDEN vs LVS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
GDEN vs LVS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLLVSLAGGINGGDEN
GDENGolden Entertainment,…
2leads
LVSLas Vegas Sands Corp.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs GDENMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
LVS5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
GDEN5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
LVS6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
LVS4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
GDEN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LVS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LVS is the larger business by revenue, generating $13.7B annually — 21.6x GDEN's $635M. LVS is the more profitable business, keeping 13.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to GDEN's -1.0%. On growth, LVS holds the edge at +25.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | GDENGolden Entertainm… | LVSLas Vegas Sands C… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $635M | $13.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $120M | $4.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$6M | $1.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $36M | $2.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +39.5% | +26.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.7% | +24.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -1.0% | +13.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +5.6% | +16.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -5.2% | +25.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.3% | +73.5% |
LVS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
GDEN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, GDEN's 10.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LVS's 10.3x.
| Metric | GDENGolden Entertainm… | LVSLas Vegas Sands C… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $754M | $35.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.3B | $47.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -124.13x | 22.65x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 50.53x | 16.03x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.25x | 10.29x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.19x | 2.71x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.78x | 19.07x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 21.18x | 21.35x |
GDEN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LVS leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LVS delivers a 95.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $96 in annual profit, vs $-1 for GDEN. GDEN carries lower financial leverage with a 1.40x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LVS's 8.34x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LVS scores 7/9 vs GDEN's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | GDENGolden Entertainm… | LVSLas Vegas Sands C… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -1.4% | +95.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.6% | +8.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.8% | +16.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.7% | +19.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.40x | 8.34x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $532M | $12.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $55M | $3.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $587M | $16.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.70x | 4.25x |
LVS leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LVS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LVS five years ago would be worth $9,782 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,175 for GDEN. Over the past 12 months, LVS leads with a +40.6% total return vs GDEN's +15.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LVS at -3.4% vs GDEN's -5.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | GDENGolden Entertainm… | LVSLas Vegas Sands C… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +5.5% | -17.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +15.2% | +40.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -15.8% | -9.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.3% | -2.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +180.6% | +49.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -5.6% | -3.4% |
LVS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GDEN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GDEN is the less volatile stock with a 0.43 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LVS's 1.09 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GDEN currently trades 87.2% from its 52-week high vs LVS's 75.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | GDENGolden Entertainm… | LVSLas Vegas Sands C… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.43x | 1.09x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $32.74 | $70.45 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $19.57 | $37.95 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +87.2% | +75.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.7 | 41.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 327K | 3.9M |
GDEN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — GDEN and LVS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates GDEN as "Buy" and LVS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 31.0% upside for LVS (target: $70) vs 1.6% for GDEN (target: $29). For income investors, GDEN offers the higher dividend yield at 3.51% vs LVS's 2.26%.
| Metric | GDENGolden Entertainm… | LVSLas Vegas Sands C… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $29.00 | $69.70 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 12 | 49 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.5% | +2.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.00 | $1.20 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.0% | +6.3% |
Evenly matched — GDEN and LVS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
LVS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). GDEN leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallLas Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
GDEN vs LVS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GDEN or LVS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Las Vegas Sands Corp.
(LVS) is the stronger pick with 15. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 8% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN). Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) offers the better valuation at 22. 6x trailing P/E (16. 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.
02Which has the better valuation — GDEN or LVS?
On forward P/E, Las Vegas Sands Corp.
is actually cheaper at 16. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — GDEN or LVS?
Over the past 5 years, Las Vegas Sands Corp.
(LVS) delivered a total return of -2. 2%, compared to -8. 3% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GDEN returned +180. 6% versus LVS's +49. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — GDEN or LVS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Golden Entertainment, Inc.
(GDEN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 43β versus Las Vegas Sands Corp. 's 1. 09β — meaning LVS is approximately 156% more volatile than GDEN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 140% versus 8% for Las Vegas Sands Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — GDEN or LVS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Las Vegas Sands Corp.
(LVS) is pulling ahead at 15. 2% versus -4. 8% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Las Vegas Sands Corp. grew EPS 19. 9% year-over-year, compared to -113. 5% for Golden Entertainment, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LVS leads at 46. 9% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — GDEN or LVS?
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
(LVS) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 5% net margin versus -1. 0% for Golden Entertainment, Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LVS leads at 23. 7% versus 5. 5% for GDEN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GDEN leads at 39. 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.
07Is GDEN or LVS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Las Vegas Sands Corp.
(LVS) trades at 16. 0x forward P/E versus 50. 5x for Golden Entertainment, Inc. — 34. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LVS: 31. 0% to $69. 70.
08Which pays a better dividend — GDEN or LVS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Golden Entertainment, Inc. (GDEN) offers the highest yield at 3. 5%, versus 2. 3% for Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS).
09Is GDEN or LVS better for a retirement portfolio?
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, +180. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GDEN: +180. 6%, LVS: +49. 4%), 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.
10What are the main differences between GDEN and LVS?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: GDEN is a small-cap income-oriented stock; LVS is a mid-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.
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