NNI vs ENVA

For growth investors, Enova International, Inc.

(ENVA) is the stronger pick with 18. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -55. 5% for Nelnet, Inc. (NNI). Enova International, Inc. (ENVA) offers the better valuation at 14. 9x trailing P/E (10. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Enova International, Inc. (ENVA) a "Buy" — based on 10 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 forward P/E, Enova International, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 10. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, Enova International, Inc.

(ENVA) delivered a total return of +388. 0%, compared to +92. 2% for Nelnet, Inc. (NNI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ENVA returned +20. 1% versus NNI's +288. 4%. 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), Nelnet, Inc.

(NNI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 59β versus Enova International, Inc. 's 1. 48β — meaning ENVA is approximately 151% more volatile than NNI relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Enova International, Inc.

(ENVA) is pulling ahead at 18. 6% versus -55. 5% for Nelnet, Inc. (NNI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Enova International, Inc. grew EPS 55. 9% year-over-year, compared to -100. 0% for Nelnet, 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.

Nelnet, Inc.

(NNI) is the more profitable company, earning 32. 4% net margin versus 9. 8% for Enova International, Inc. — meaning it keeps 32. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ENVA leads at 23. 5% versus 0. 0% for NNI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ENVA leads at 50. 1%, 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, Enova International, Inc.

(ENVA) trades at 10. 5x forward P/E versus 15. 3x for Nelnet, Inc. — 4. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, NNI (2.

9% yield) pays a dividend. ENVA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Nelnet, Inc.

(NNI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 59), 2. 9% yield, +288. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NNI: +288. 4%, ENVA: +20. 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.

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

In terms of investment character: NNI is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ENVA is a small-cap high-growth stock. NNI pays a dividend while ENVA 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.