GDEN vs MCRI vs CNTY vs GPOR vs CZR

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 trailing P/E, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the cheapest at 8.

3x versus Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. at 21. 6x. 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 -88. 4% for Century Casinos, Inc. (CNTY). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MCRI returned +535. 8% versus CNTY's -77. 3%. 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 Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 's 1. 27β — meaning CZR is approximately 780% more volatile than GPOR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (MCRI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 13% for Century Casinos, 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 -350. 5% for Century Casinos, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CNTY leads at 14. 0% 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 -22. 3% for Century Casinos, 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 0. 7% for CNTY. 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), MCRI (1. 0% yield) pay a dividend. CNTY, GPOR, CZR do 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%, CZR: +302. 6%), 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 MCRI (Consumer Cyclical) and CNTY (Consumer Cyclical) and GPOR (Energy) and CZR (Consumer Cyclical)), 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; MCRI is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CNTY is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GPOR is a small-cap high-growth stock; CZR is a small-cap quality compounder stock. GDEN, MCRI pay a dividend while CNTY, GPOR, CZR 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.