NOEMU vs NRGV vs CCRN vs CLNE vs HYAC

For growth investors, Energy Vault Holdings, Inc.

(NRGV) is the stronger pick with 340. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -21. 6% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). Haymaker Acquisition Corp. III (HYAC) offers the better valuation at 28. 3x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NRGV) 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.

On trailing P/E, Haymaker Acquisition Corp.

III (HYAC) is the cheapest at 28. 3x versus CO2 Energy Transition Corp. Unit at 9999. 0x.

Over the past 5 years, CO2 Energy Transition Corp.

Unit (NOEMU) delivered a total return of +6. 1%, compared to -73. 8% for Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (CLNE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NOEMU returned +6. 1% versus NRGV's -57. 1%. 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), CO2 Energy Transition Corp.

Unit (NOEMU) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 04β versus Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. 's 3. 08β — meaning NRGV is approximately -7523% more volatile than NOEMU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CO2 Energy Transition Corp. Unit (NOEMU) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 107% for Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Energy Vault Holdings, Inc.

(NRGV) is pulling ahead at 340. 9% versus -21. 6% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Haymaker Acquisition Corp. III grew EPS 137. 5% year-over-year, compared to -565. 9% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NRGV leads at 11. 8% 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.

Haymaker Acquisition Corp.

III (HYAC) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 7% net margin versus -52. 3% for Clean Energy Fuels Corp. — meaning it keeps 5. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NOEMU leads at 0. 0% versus -36. 5% for NRGV. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HYAC leads at 70. 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CLNE: 51.

5% to $3. 50.

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, CO2 Energy Transition Corp.

Unit (NOEMU) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 04)). Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NRGV) carries a higher beta of 3. 08 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NOEMU: +6. 1%, NRGV: -57. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (NOEMU (Financial Services) and NRGV (Utilities) and CCRN (Healthcare) and CLNE (Energy) and HYAC (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: NOEMU is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NRGV is a small-cap high-growth stock; CCRN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CLNE is a small-cap quality compounder stock; HYAC 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.