GPRE vs AVA vs POR vs REX vs IDA

For growth investors, Avista Corporation (AVA) is the stronger pick with 1.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -22. 9% for REX American Resources Corporation (REX). Avista Corporation (AVA) offers the better valuation at 17. 2x trailing P/E (16. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Green Plains Inc. (GPRE) a "Buy" — based on 20 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, Avista Corporation (AVA) is the cheapest at 17.

2x versus REX American Resources Corporation at 29. 5x. On forward P/E, Portland General Electric Company is actually cheaper at 14. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: REX American Resources Corporation wins at 1. 18x versus IDACORP, Inc. 's 4. 79x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, REX American Resources Corporation (REX) delivered a total return of +250.

0%, compared to -48. 5% for Green Plains Inc. (GPRE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: REX returned +464. 7% versus GPRE's +21. 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), Avista Corporation (AVA) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

00β versus Green Plains Inc. 's 1. 22β — meaning GPRE is approximately -40610% more volatile than AVA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, REX American Resources Corporation (REX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 134% for Portland General Electric Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Avista Corporation (AVA) is pulling ahead at 1.

3% versus -22. 9% for REX American Resources Corporation (REX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: IDACORP, Inc. grew EPS 7. 3% year-over-year, compared to -39. 5% for Green Plains Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, POR leads at 8. 4% 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.

IDACORP, Inc.

(IDA) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 8% net margin versus -5. 8% for Green Plains Inc. — meaning it keeps 17. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IDA leads at 21. 9% versus -4. 0% for GPRE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — POR leads at 33. 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, REX American Resources Corporation (REX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 18x versus IDACORP, Inc. 's 4. 79x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Portland General Electric Company (POR) trades at 14. 3x forward P/E versus 62. 8x for REX American Resources Corporation — 48. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for REX: 23. 3% to $60. 00.

In this comparison, AVA (4.

8% yield), POR (4. 2% yield), IDA (2. 4% yield) pay a dividend. GPRE, REX do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Avista Corporation (AVA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.

00), 4. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AVA: +40. 1%, GPRE: +21. 3%), 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 (GPRE (Basic Materials) and AVA (Utilities) and POR (Utilities) and REX (Basic Materials) and IDA (Utilities)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: GPRE is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AVA is a small-cap deep-value stock; POR is a small-cap deep-value stock; REX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; IDA is a small-cap quality compounder stock. AVA, POR, IDA pay a dividend while GPRE, REX 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.