PCOR vs CSGP vs ADSK vs Z

For growth investors, CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the stronger pick with 18. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 10. 5% for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK). Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) offers the better valuation at 48. 0x trailing P/E (20. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Procore Technologies, Inc. (PCOR) a "Buy" — based on 24 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, Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) is the cheapest at 48. 0x versus CoStar Group, Inc. at 2107. 2x. On forward P/E, Zillow Group, Inc. Class C is actually cheaper at 18. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) delivered a total return of -12. 1%, compared to -63. 2% for Zillow Group, Inc. Class C (Z). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ADSK returned +315. 9% versus PCOR's -39. 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), CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 69β versus Zillow Group, Inc. Class C's 1. 29β — meaning Z is approximately 88% more volatile than CSGP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Procore Technologies, Inc. (PCOR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 90% for Autodesk, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(CSGP) is pulling ahead at 18. 7% versus 10. 5% for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Zillow Group, Inc. Class C grew EPS 118. 9% year-over-year, compared to -95. 1% for CoStar Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PCOR leads at 22. 5% 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.

Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) is the more profitable company, earning 16. 6% net margin versus -7. 6% for Procore Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 16. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ADSK leads at 23. 3% versus -8. 9% for PCOR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ADSK leads at 96. 8%, 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, Zillow Group, Inc.

Class C (Z) trades at 18. 4x forward P/E versus 31. 7x for Procore Technologies, Inc. — 13. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CSGP: 74. 9% to $61. 18.

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, Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 78), +315. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ADSK: +315. 9%, PCOR: -39. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (PCOR (Technology) and CSGP (Real Estate) and ADSK (Technology) and Z (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: PCOR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CSGP is a mid-cap high-growth stock; ADSK is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; Z is a mid-cap high-growth 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.