RDNT vs SMID vs USPH vs AMSF vs AORT

For growth investors, Smith-Midland Corporation (SMID) is the stronger pick with 31.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 6% for AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF). AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) offers the better valuation at 12. 3x trailing P/E (14. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate RadNet, Inc. (RDNT) a "Buy" — based on 11 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, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the cheapest at 12. 3x versus Artivion, Inc. at 168. 5x. On forward P/E, AMERISAFE, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 4x.

Over the past 5 years, Smith-Midland Corporation (SMID) delivered a total return of +169.

4%, compared to -43. 4% for U. S. Physical Therapy, Inc. (USPH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SMID returned +1437% versus USPH's +22. 6%. 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), AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 23β versus Smith-Midland Corporation's 1. 58β — meaning SMID is approximately 583% more volatile than AMSF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 137% for RadNet, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Smith-Midland Corporation (SMID) is pulling ahead at 31.

8% versus 2. 6% for AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Smith-Midland Corporation grew EPS 866. 7% year-over-year, compared to -768. 4% for RadNet, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SMID leads at 15. 7% 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.

AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 9% net margin versus 1. 9% for U. S. Physical Therapy, Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AMSF leads at 18. 6% versus 3. 0% for RDNT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AORT leads at 61. 3%, 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, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) trades at 14. 4x forward P/E versus 98. 7x for Artivion, Inc. — 84. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for USPH: 72. 9% to $102. 00.

In this comparison, AMSF (8.

4% yield), USPH (3. 1% yield) pay a dividend. RDNT, SMID, AORT do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, AMERISAFE, Inc.

(AMSF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 23), 8. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AMSF: +31. 8%, RDNT: +947. 4%), 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 (RDNT (Healthcare) and SMID (Basic Materials) and USPH (Healthcare) and AMSF (Financial Services) and AORT (Healthcare)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: RDNT is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SMID is a small-cap high-growth stock; USPH is a small-cap high-growth stock; AMSF is a small-cap deep-value stock; AORT is a small-cap quality compounder stock. USPH, AMSF pay a dividend while RDNT, SMID, AORT do 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.