LICN
Lichen International Limited
Specialty Business Services
Market Cap$2M
5Y Perf.-98.3%
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Stock Comparison
LICN vs EDU
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
EDU
New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
Education & Training Services
Market Cap$8.97B
5Y Perf.+45.6%
LICN vs EDU — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LICN | EDU |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Specialty Business Services | Education & Training Services |
| Market Cap | $2M | $8.97B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $80M | $4.99B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-9M | $367M |
| Gross Margin | 58.8% | 55.1% |
| Operating Margin | -0.5% | 9.0% |
| Forward P/E | — | 16.2x |
| Total Debt | $61K | $804M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $27M | $1.61B |
LICN vs EDU — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LICN
EDU
| Stock | Feb 23 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lichen Internationa… (LICN) | 100 | 1.7 | -98.3% |
| New Oriental Educat… (EDU) | 100 | 145.6 | +45.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LICN vs EDU
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: EDU leads in 5 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Lichen International Limited is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
LICN
Lichen International Limited
The Defensive Pick
LICN is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.52, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 7.96x
- +67.8% vs EDU's +19.4%
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
EDU
New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
The Income Pick
EDU carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.82, yield 1.1%
- Rev growth 13.6%, EPS growth 27.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 16.4%
- 47.3% 10Y total return vs LICN's -99.2%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | EDU | 13.6% revenue growth vs LICN's 4.3% |
| Quality / Margins | EDU | 7.4% margin vs LICN's -10.7% |
| Stability / Safety | EDU | Beta 0.82 vs LICN's 1.52 |
| Dividends | EDU | 1.1% yield; 5-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | LICN | +67.8% vs EDU's +19.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | EDU | 4.8% ROA vs LICN's -11.9%, ROIC 9.9% vs -8.1% |
LICN vs EDU — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
LICN vs EDU — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLEDULAGGINGLICN
LICNLichen International …
1leads
EDUNew Oriental Educatio…
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs LICNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
EDU5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
LICN3/3
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
EDU6/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
EDU4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
EDU2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
EDU1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EDU leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EDU is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.0B annually — 62.7x LICN's $80M. EDU is the more profitable business, keeping 7.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LICN's -10.7%. On growth, EDU holds the edge at +6.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | LICNLichen Internatio… | EDUNew Oriental Educ… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $80M | $5.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $5M | $563M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$9M | $367M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$9M | $737M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +58.8% | +55.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.5% | +9.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -10.7% | +7.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -11.4% | +14.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -21.2% | +6.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -642.1% | 0.0% |
EDU leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
LICN leads this category, winning 3 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | LICNLichen Internatio… | EDUNew Oriental Educ… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2M | $9.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | -$25M | $8.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -14.49x | 24.50x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 16.25x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 15.25x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.04x | 1.83x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.17x | 2.31x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 14.07x |
LICN leads this category, winning 3 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EDU leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EDU delivers a 9.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $-13 for LICN. LICN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to EDU's 0.20x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), EDU scores 7/9 vs LICN's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | LICNLichen Internatio… | EDUNew Oriental Educ… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -12.6% | +9.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -11.9% | +4.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -8.1% | +9.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -6.6% | +9.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.20x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$27M | -$809M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $27M | $1.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $61,000 | $804M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 1570.90x |
EDU leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
EDU leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in EDU five years ago would be worth $3,854 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $85 for LICN. Over the past 12 months, LICN leads with a +67.8% total return vs EDU's +19.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EDU at 11.1% vs LICN's -76.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LICNLichen Internatio… | EDUNew Oriental Educ… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +104.1% | -2.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +67.8% | +19.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -98.7% | +37.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.2% | -61.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.2% | +47.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -76.8% | +11.1% |
EDU leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EDU leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EDU is the less volatile stock with a 0.82 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LICN's 1.52 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. EDU currently trades 86.7% from its 52-week high vs LICN's 71.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LICNLichen Internatio… | EDUNew Oriental Educ… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.52x | 0.82x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $8.28 | $64.97 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $2.57 | $41.62 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +71.7% | +86.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 52.4 | 54.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 42K | 689K |
EDU leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
EDU leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
EDU is the only dividend payer here at 1.08% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | LICNLichen Internatio… | EDUNew Oriental Educ… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $68.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.61 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +5.0% |
EDU leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
EDU leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). LICN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
Best OverallNew Oriental Education & Te… (EDU)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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LICN vs EDU: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LICN or EDU a better buy right now?
For growth investors, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is the stronger pick with 13. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for Lichen International Limited (LICN). New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (EDU) offers the better valuation at 24. 5x trailing P/E (16. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (EDU) a "Buy" — based on 24 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.
02Which is the better long-term investment — LICN or EDU?
Over the past 5 years, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) delivered a total return of -61. 5%, compared to -99. 2% for Lichen International Limited (LICN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EDU returned +47. 3% versus LICN's -99. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — LICN or EDU?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 82β versus Lichen International Limited's 1. 52β — meaning LICN is approximately 85% more volatile than EDU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Lichen International Limited (LICN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 20% for New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — LICN or EDU?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is pulling ahead at 13. 6% versus 4. 3% for Lichen International Limited (LICN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. grew EPS 27. 8% year-over-year, compared to -100. 6% for Lichen International Limited. Over a 3-year CAGR, EDU leads at 16. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — LICN or EDU?
New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 6% net margin versus -14. 8% for Lichen International Limited — meaning it keeps 7. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EDU leads at 8. 7% versus -11. 0% for LICN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LICN leads at 61. 9%, 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — LICN or EDU?
In this comparison, EDU (1.
1% yield) pays a dividend. LICN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is LICN or EDU better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
(EDU) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 82), 1. 1% yield). Lichen International Limited (LICN) carries a higher beta of 1. 52 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (EDU: +47. 3%, LICN: -99. 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.
08What are the main differences between LICN and EDU?
These companies operate in different sectors (LICN (Industrials) and EDU (Consumer Defensive)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
EDU pays a dividend while LICN 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.
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