GOLF vs DKS vs MODG vs NKE vs PLNT

For growth investors, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.

(DKS) is the stronger pick with 28. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -9. 8% for NIKE, Inc. (NKE). Planet Fitness, Inc. (PLNT) offers the better valuation at 16. 8x trailing P/E (13. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS) a "Buy" — based on 63 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, Planet Fitness, Inc.

(PLNT) is the cheapest at 16. 8x versus Acushnet Holdings Corp. at 28. 9x. On forward P/E, Planet Fitness, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 0x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Acushnet Holdings Corp. wins at 1. 24x versus NIKE, Inc. 's 4. 82x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.

(DKS) delivered a total return of +173. 8%, compared to -62. 7% for NIKE, Inc. (NKE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DKS returned +450. 0% versus NKE's -5. 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), Planet Fitness, Inc.

(PLNT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 31β versus Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. 's 1. 92β — meaning MODG is approximately 514% more volatile than PLNT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 172% for Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.

(DKS) is pulling ahead at 28. 1% versus -9. 8% for NIKE, Inc. (NKE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Planet Fitness, Inc. grew EPS 31. 0% year-over-year, compared to -1776. 6% for Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PLNT leads at 12. 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.

DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.

(DKS) is the more profitable company, earning 49. 3% net margin versus -34. 1% for Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. — meaning it keeps 49. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PLNT leads at 29. 8% versus -29. 7% for MODG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PLNT leads at 82. 6%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Acushnet Holdings Corp. (GOLF) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 24x versus NIKE, Inc. 's 4. 82x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Planet Fitness, Inc. (PLNT) trades at 13. 0x forward P/E versus 29. 8x for NIKE, Inc. — 16. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PLNT: 170. 8% to $119. 17.

In this comparison, NKE (3.

5% yield), DKS (2. 2% yield), GOLF (1. 0% yield) pay a dividend. MODG, PLNT do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Planet Fitness, Inc.

(PLNT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 31), +203. 6% 10Y return). Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. (MODG) carries a higher beta of 1. 92 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PLNT: +203. 6%, MODG: +37. 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.

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: GOLF is a small-cap quality compounder stock; DKS is a mid-cap high-growth stock; MODG is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NKE is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; PLNT is a small-cap deep-value stock. GOLF, DKS, NKE pay a dividend while MODG, PLNT 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.