IHRT vs WMG

For growth investors, Warner Music Group Corp.

(WMG) is the stronger pick with 4. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 3% for iHeartMedia, Inc. (IHRT). Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) offers the better valuation at 44. 3x trailing P/E (23. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate iHeartMedia, Inc. (IHRT) a "Buy" — based on 10 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, Warner Music Group Corp.

(WMG) delivered a total return of -6. 2%, compared to -75. 0% for iHeartMedia, Inc. (IHRT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WMG returned +15. 3% versus IHRT's -68. 5%. 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), Warner Music Group Corp.

(WMG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 65β versus iHeartMedia, Inc. 's 1. 82β — meaning IHRT is approximately 179% more volatile than WMG relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Warner Music Group Corp.

(WMG) is pulling ahead at 4. 4% versus 0. 3% for iHeartMedia, Inc. (IHRT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: iHeartMedia, Inc. grew EPS 54. 3% year-over-year, compared to -16. 7% for Warner Music Group Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WMG leads at 4. 3% 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.

Warner Music Group Corp.

(WMG) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 4% net margin versus -12. 2% for iHeartMedia, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WMG leads at 10. 3% versus -0. 5% for IHRT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IHRT leads at 78. 5%, 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 WMG: 14.

4% to $35. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) offers the highest yield at 2. 4%, versus 0. 2% for iHeartMedia, Inc. (IHRT).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Warner Music Group Corp.

(WMG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 65), 2. 4% yield). iHeartMedia, Inc. (IHRT) carries a higher beta of 1. 82 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WMG: +15. 3%, IHRT: -68. 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.

Both stocks operate in the Communication Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

WMG pays a dividend while IHRT 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.