NCMI vs CCO

For growth investors, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.

(CCO) is the stronger pick with 6. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 0% for National CineMedia, Inc. (NCMI). Analysts rate National CineMedia, Inc. (NCMI) a "Hold" — based on 17 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, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.

(CCO) delivered a total return of -3. 6%, compared to -85. 3% for National CineMedia, Inc. (NCMI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CCO returned -42. 5% versus NCMI's -71. 7%. 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), National CineMedia, Inc.

(NCMI) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 26β versus Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 31β — meaning CCO is approximately 3% more volatile than NCMI relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.

(CCO) is pulling ahead at 6. 6% versus 1. 0% for National CineMedia, Inc. (NCMI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: National CineMedia, Inc. grew EPS 52. 2% year-over-year, compared to 43. 2% for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CCO leads at 5. 1% 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.

National CineMedia, Inc.

(NCMI) is the more profitable company, earning -4. 4% net margin versus -6. 5% for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps -4. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CCO leads at 19. 0% versus -5. 7% for NCMI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CCO leads at 42. 5%, 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, NCMI (3.

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

For long-horizon retirement investors, National CineMedia, Inc.

(NCMI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 26), 3. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NCMI: -71. 7%, CCO: -42. 5%), 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 Communication Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: NCMI is a small-cap income-oriented stock; CCO is a small-cap quality compounder stock. NCMI pays a dividend while CCO 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.