MAX vs TPVG

For growth investors, TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

(TPVG) is the stronger pick with 36. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 28. 8% for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX). TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (TPVG) offers the better valuation at 4. 6x trailing P/E (6. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) a "Buy" — based on 9 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, TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

(TPVG) is the cheapest at 4. 6x versus MediaAlpha, Inc. at 23. 0x. On forward P/E, TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. is actually cheaper at 6. 0x.

Over the past 5 years, TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

(TPVG) delivered a total return of -19. 0%, compared to -76. 8% for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TPVG returned +87. 8% versus MAX's -71. 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), TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

(TPVG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 83β versus MediaAlpha, Inc. 's 1. 01β — meaning MAX is approximately 22% more volatile than TPVG relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

(TPVG) is pulling ahead at 36. 6% versus 28. 8% for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. grew EPS 48. 8% year-over-year, compared to 25. 8% for MediaAlpha, 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.

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

(TPVG) is the more profitable company, earning 50. 6% net margin versus 2. 3% for MediaAlpha, Inc. — meaning it keeps 50. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TPVG leads at 77. 9% versus 7. 0% for MAX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TPVG leads at 83. 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.

On forward earnings alone, TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

(TPVG) trades at 6. 0x forward P/E versus 8. 5x for MediaAlpha, Inc. — 2. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TPVG: 60. 7% to $8. 95.

In this comparison, TPVG (18.

4% yield) pays a dividend. MAX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

(TPVG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 83), 18. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TPVG: +87. 8%, MAX: -71. 8%), 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 (MAX (Communication Services) and TPVG (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

TPVG pays a dividend while MAX 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.