MD vs AMSF

For growth investors, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the stronger pick with 2. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 9% for Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (MD). Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (MD) offers the better valuation at 11. 8x trailing P/E (10. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) 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.

On trailing P/E, Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc.

(MD) is the cheapest at 11. 8x versus AMERISAFE, Inc. at 12. 3x. On forward P/E, Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) delivered a total return of -18. 9%, compared to -28. 6% for Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (MD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AMSF returned +31. 8% versus MD's -67. 1%. 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), AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 23β versus Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. 's 0. 73β — meaning MD is approximately 214% more volatile than AMSF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 76% for Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(AMSF) is pulling ahead at 2. 6% versus -4. 9% for Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (MD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. grew EPS 263. 0% year-over-year, compared to -14. 5% for AMERISAFE, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AMSF leads at 2. 5% 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.

AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 9% net margin versus 8. 6% for Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AMSF leads at 18. 6% versus 12. 1% for MD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AMSF leads at 46. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc.

(MD) trades at 10. 3x forward P/E versus 14. 4x for AMERISAFE, Inc. — 4. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AMSF: 46. 9% to $44. 50.

In this comparison, AMSF (8.

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

For long-horizon retirement investors, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 23), 8. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AMSF: +31. 8%, MD: -67. 1%), 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 (MD (Healthcare) and AMSF (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

AMSF pays a dividend while MD 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.