HYFM vs TLRY vs CGC vs SMG

For growth investors, Tilray Brands, Inc.

(TLRY) is the stronger pick with 4. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -16. 0% for Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. (HYFM). The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) offers the better valuation at 25. 3x trailing P/E (13. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) a "Buy" — based on 17 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.

Over the past 5 years, Tilray Brands, Inc.

(TLRY) delivered a total return of -65. 0%, compared to -99. 8% for Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. (HYFM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SMG returned +33. 0% versus HYFM's -99. 8%. 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), Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc.

(HYFM) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 73β versus Tilray Brands, Inc. 's 2. 04β — meaning TLRY is approximately 178% more volatile than HYFM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Tilray Brands, Inc. (TLRY) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 76% for Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Tilray Brands, Inc.

(TLRY) is pulling ahead at 4. 8% versus -16. 0% for Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. (HYFM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company grew EPS 504. 9% year-over-year, compared to -651. 7% for Tilray Brands, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TLRY leads at 12. 5% 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.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) is the more profitable company, earning 4.

3% net margin versus -266. 3% for Tilray Brands, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SMG leads at 10. 5% versus -277. 9% for TLRY. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SMG leads at 30. 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CGC: 1180.

5% to $14. 47.

In this comparison, SMG (4.

2% yield) pays a dividend. HYFM, TLRY, CGC do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

12), 4. 2% yield). Tilray Brands, Inc. (TLRY) carries a higher beta of 2. 04 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SMG: +33. 0%, TLRY: -75. 2%), 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 (HYFM (Industrials) and TLRY (Healthcare) and CGC (Healthcare) and SMG (Basic Materials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: HYFM is a small-cap quality compounder stock; TLRY is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CGC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SMG is a small-cap income-oriented stock. SMG pays a dividend while HYFM, TLRY, CGC 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.