MGRD vs CNNE

For growth investors, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

(MGRD) is the stronger pick with 19. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 4% for Cannae Holdings, Inc. (CNNE). Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (MGRD) offers the better valuation at 0. 7x trailing P/E (0. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Cannae Holdings, Inc. (CNNE) a "Buy" — based on 5 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, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

(MGRD) delivered a total return of -20. 5%, compared to -60. 5% for Cannae Holdings, Inc. (CNNE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CNNE returned -18. 2% versus MGRD's -20. 5%. 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), Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

(MGRD) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 76β versus Cannae Holdings, Inc. 's 0. 98β — meaning CNNE is approximately 29% more volatile than MGRD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Cannae Holdings, Inc. (CNNE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 33% versus 61% for Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

(MGRD) is pulling ahead at 19. 8% versus -6. 4% for Cannae Holdings, Inc. (CNNE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. grew EPS 50. 3% year-over-year, compared to -92. 0% for Cannae Holdings, 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.

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

(MGRD) is the more profitable company, earning 29. 3% net margin versus -99. 2% for Cannae Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 29. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MGRD leads at 31. 8% versus -28. 2% for CNNE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MGRD leads at 86. 0%, 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.

In this comparison, MGRD (0.

2% yield) pays a dividend. CNNE does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

(MGRD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 76)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MGRD: -20. 5%, CNNE: -18. 2%), 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 (MGRD (Financial Services) and CNNE (Consumer Cyclical)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: MGRD is a small-cap high-growth stock; CNNE 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.