MLSS vs SRDX

For growth investors, Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) is the stronger pick with -4. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -12. 2% for Milestone Scientific Inc. (MLSS). Analysts rate Surmodics, Inc. (SRDX) a "Buy" — based on 7 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, Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) delivered a total return of -22. 1%, compared to -80. 9% for Milestone Scientific Inc. (MLSS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SRDX returned +88. 4% versus MLSS's -79. 9%. 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), Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 48β versus Milestone Scientific Inc. 's 0. 94β — meaning MLSS is approximately 96% more volatile than SRDX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Milestone Scientific Inc. (MLSS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 28% for Surmodics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(SRDX) is pulling ahead at -4. 9% versus -12. 2% for Milestone Scientific Inc. (MLSS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Milestone Scientific Inc. grew EPS 37. 9% year-over-year, compared to -645. 5% for Surmodics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SRDX leads at 6. 2% 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.

Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) is the more profitable company, earning -9. 2% net margin versus -54. 6% for Milestone Scientific Inc. — meaning it keeps -9. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SRDX leads at -4. 5% versus -78. 3% for MLSS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MLSS leads at 74. 6%, 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, Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 48)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SRDX: +88. 4%, MLSS: -79. 9%), 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.

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.