MDAI vs LNSR

For growth investors, Spectral AI, Inc.

(MDAI) is the stronger pick with 63. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 9. 2% for LENSAR, Inc. (LNSR). Analysts rate LENSAR, Inc. (LNSR) a "Buy" — based on 3 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, LENSAR, Inc.

(LNSR) delivered a total return of -26. 8%, compared to -76. 9% for Spectral AI, Inc. (MDAI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LNSR returned -41. 9% versus MDAI's -76. 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), LENSAR, Inc.

(LNSR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 52β versus Spectral AI, Inc. 's 1. 59β — meaning MDAI is approximately 203% more volatile than LNSR relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Spectral AI, Inc.

(MDAI) is pulling ahead at 63. 8% versus 9. 2% for LENSAR, Inc. (LNSR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Spectral AI, Inc. grew EPS 42. 6% year-over-year, compared to -5. 1% for LENSAR, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MDAI leads at 24. 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.

Spectral AI, Inc.

(MDAI) is the more profitable company, earning -51. 8% net margin versus -58. 7% for LENSAR, Inc. — meaning it keeps -51. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MDAI leads at -22. 3% versus -42. 1% for LNSR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LNSR 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.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, LENSAR, Inc.

(LNSR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 52)). Spectral AI, Inc. (MDAI) carries a higher beta of 1. 59 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LNSR: -41. 9%, MDAI: -76. 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.

Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: MDAI is a small-cap high-growth stock; LNSR is a small-cap quality compounder stock. 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.