MBI vs RDN

For growth investors, MBIA Inc.

(MBI) is the stronger pick with 90. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 4% for Radian Group Inc. (RDN). Radian Group Inc. (RDN) offers the better valuation at 9. 1x trailing P/E (7. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MBIA Inc. (MBI) a "Buy" — based on 6 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, MBIA Inc.

(MBI) delivered a total return of +125. 3%, compared to +77. 9% for Radian Group Inc. (RDN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RDN returned +250. 2% versus MBI's +197. 3%. 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), Radian Group Inc.

(RDN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 37β versus MBIA Inc. 's 0. 81β — meaning MBI is approximately 118% more volatile than RDN relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), MBIA Inc.

(MBI) is pulling ahead at 90. 5% versus -3. 4% for Radian Group Inc. (RDN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MBIA Inc. grew EPS 61. 9% year-over-year, compared to 5. 6% for Radian Group Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, RDN leads at 1. 6% 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.

Radian Group Inc.

(RDN) is the more profitable company, earning 46. 7% net margin versus -221. 3% for MBIA Inc. — meaning it keeps 46. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RDN leads at 61. 2% versus -226. 3% for MBI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RDN leads at 92. 3%, 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 MBI: 119.

1% to $14. 00.

In this comparison, RDN (2.

8% yield) pays a dividend. MBI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Radian Group Inc.

(RDN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 37), 2. 8% yield, +250. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (RDN: +250. 2%, MBI: +197. 3%), 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 Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: MBI is a small-cap high-growth stock; RDN is a small-cap deep-value stock. RDN pays a dividend while MBI 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.