HPAI vs SSTK

For growth investors, Helport AI Limited (HPAI) is the stronger pick with 132.

4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 8% for Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK). Helport AI Limited (HPAI) offers the better valuation at 5. 0x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK) a "Hold" — based on 18 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, Helport AI Limited (HPAI) is the cheapest at 5.

0x versus Shutterstock, Inc. at 13. 6x.

Over the past 5 years, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) delivered a total return of -73. 5%, compared to -88. 3% for Helport AI Limited (HPAI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SSTK returned -34. 5% versus HPAI's -88. 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), Helport AI Limited (HPAI) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

19β versus Shutterstock, Inc. 's 1. 48β — meaning SSTK is approximately 686% more volatile than HPAI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Helport AI Limited (HPAI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 37% versus 55% for Shutterstock, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Helport AI Limited (HPAI) is pulling ahead at 132.

4% versus 5. 8% for Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Helport AI Limited grew EPS 53. 8% year-over-year, compared to 23. 8% for Shutterstock, Inc.. 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.

Helport AI Limited (HPAI) is the more profitable company, earning 24.

9% net margin versus 4. 6% for Shutterstock, Inc. — meaning it keeps 24. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HPAI leads at 31. 1% versus 11. 1% for SSTK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HPAI leads at 62. 8%, 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.

In this comparison, SSTK (7.

6% yield) pays a dividend. HPAI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

19)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HPAI: -88. 3%, SSTK: -34. 5%), 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 (HPAI (Technology) and SSTK (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: HPAI is a small-cap high-growth stock; SSTK is a small-cap deep-value stock. SSTK pays a dividend while HPAI 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.