LOPE vs WMT

For growth investors, Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

(LOPE) is the stronger pick with 7. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 7% for Walmart Inc. (WMT). Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE) offers the better valuation at 21. 3x trailing P/E (16. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE) a "Buy" — 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, Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

(LOPE) is the cheapest at 21. 3x versus Walmart Inc. at 47. 6x. On forward P/E, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Grand Canyon Education, Inc. wins at 2. 27x versus Walmart Inc. 's 4. 06x.

Over the past 5 years, Walmart Inc.

(WMT) delivered a total return of +185. 3%, compared to +83. 3% for Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WMT returned +499. 5% versus LOPE's +272. 4%. 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), Walmart Inc.

(WMT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 12β versus Grand Canyon Education, Inc. 's 0. 35β — meaning LOPE is approximately 204% more volatile than WMT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 27% versus 67% for Walmart Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

(LOPE) is pulling ahead at 7. 1% versus 4. 7% for Walmart Inc. (WMT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Walmart Inc. grew EPS 13. 3% year-over-year, compared to -0. 3% for Grand Canyon Education, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LOPE leads at 6. 7% 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.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

(LOPE) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 5% net margin versus 3. 1% for Walmart Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LOPE leads at 27. 5% versus 4. 2% for WMT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LOPE leads at 52. 4%, 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, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 27x versus Walmart Inc. 's 4. 06x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE) trades at 16. 3x forward P/E versus 44. 7x for Walmart Inc. — 28. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LOPE: 10. 8% to $182. 33.

In this comparison, WMT (0.

7% yield) pays a dividend. LOPE does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Walmart Inc.

(WMT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 12), 0. 7% yield, +499. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (WMT: +499. 5%, LOPE: +272. 4%), 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 Consumer Defensive sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

WMT pays a dividend while LOPE 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.