RXRX vs RLAY

For growth investors, Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

(RLAY) is the stronger pick with 53. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 26. 9% for Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RXRX). Analysts rate Relay Therapeutics, Inc. (RLAY) a "Buy" — based on 15 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, Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

(RLAY) delivered a total return of -57. 6%, compared to -88. 2% for Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RXRX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RLAY returned -64. 3% versus RXRX's -81. 8%. 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), Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

(RLAY) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 77β versus Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 's 3. 18β — meaning RXRX is approximately 79% more volatile than RLAY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Relay Therapeutics, Inc. (RLAY) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 7% for Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

(RLAY) is pulling ahead at 53. 4% versus 26. 9% for Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RXRX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Relay Therapeutics, Inc. grew EPS 31. 8% year-over-year, compared to 14. 8% for Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, RLAY leads at 123. 2% 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.

Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(RXRX) is the more profitable company, earning -863. 4% net margin versus -1800. 6% for Relay Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps -863. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RXRX leads at -867. 9% versus -1971. 6% for RLAY. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RLAY leads at 76. 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.

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, Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

(RLAY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding. Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RXRX) carries a higher beta of 3. 18 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (RLAY: -64. 3%, RXRX: -81. 8%), 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 Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.