SAZ
Saratoga Investment Corp 8.50%
Investment - Banking & Investment Services
Market Cap$415M
5Y Perf.+2.4%
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Stock Comparison
SAZ vs BX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
BX
Blackstone Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$97.70B
5Y Perf.+39.6%
SAZ vs BX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SAZ | BX |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Investment - Banking & Investment Services | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $415M | $97.70B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $94M | $13.83B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $39M | $3.02B |
| Gross Margin | 44.7% | 86.0% |
| Operating Margin | 33.9% | 51.9% |
| Forward P/E | 10.4x | 20.9x |
| Total Debt | $782M | $13.31B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $148M | $2.63B |
SAZ vs BX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SAZ
BX
| Stock | Apr 23 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga Investment… (SAZ) | 100 | 102.4 | +2.4% |
| Blackstone Inc. (BX) | 100 | 139.6 | +39.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SAZ vs BX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SAZ leads in 7 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
SAZ
Saratoga Investment Corp 8.50%
The Banking Pick
SAZ carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 0.52, yield 11.4%
- Rev growth 35.4%, EPS growth 184.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.52, current ratio 27.93x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
BX
Blackstone Inc.
The Banking Pick
BX is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 487.1% 10Y total return vs SAZ's 27.4%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SAZ | 35.4% NII/revenue growth vs BX's 21.6% |
| Value | SAZ | Lower P/E (10.4x vs 20.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | SAZ | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs BX's 0.3% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | SAZ | Beta 0.52 vs BX's 1.53 |
| Dividends | SAZ | 11.4% yield, 4-year raise streak, vs BX's 6.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SAZ | +9.2% vs BX's -3.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SAZ | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs BX's 0.3% |
SAZ vs BX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
SAZ vs BX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSAZLAGGINGBX
BXBlackstone Inc.
3leads
SAZSaratoga Investment C…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs BXMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
BX3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
SAZ5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
BX6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
BX4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
SAZ2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
SAZ2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BX leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BX is the larger business by revenue, generating $13.8B annually — 146.9x SAZ's $94M. SAZ is the more profitable business, keeping 29.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BX's 21.8%.
| Metric | SAZSaratoga Investme… | BXBlackstone Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $94M | $13.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.3B | $7.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $39M | $3.0B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $23M | $3.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.7% | +86.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +33.9% | +51.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +29.8% | +21.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.1% | +12.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +15.6% | +41.3% |
BX leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
SAZ leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.7x trailing earnings, SAZ trades at a 60% valuation discount to BX's 32.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, BX's 15.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SAZ's 32.8x.
| Metric | SAZSaratoga Investme… | BXBlackstone Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $415M | $97.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.0B | $108.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 12.74x | 32.14x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 10.37x | 20.89x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.54x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 32.82x | 15.02x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.41x | 7.07x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.91x | 4.45x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 2.10x | 55.99x |
SAZ leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BX leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BX delivers a 14.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $9 for SAZ. BX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.61x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SAZ's 1.99x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SAZ scores 8/9 vs BX's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | SAZSaratoga Investme… | BXBlackstone Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.3% | +14.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.2% | +6.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.0% | +16.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.7% | +16.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.99x | 0.61x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $634M | $10.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $148M | $2.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $782M | $13.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.83x | 14.12x |
BX leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BX five years ago would be worth $16,476 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,740 for SAZ. Over the past 12 months, SAZ leads with a +9.2% total return vs BX's -3.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BX at 19.1% vs SAZ's 8.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SAZSaratoga Investme… | BXBlackstone Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +3.6% | -19.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +9.2% | -3.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +27.4% | +68.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +27.4% | +64.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +27.4% | +487.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +8.4% | +19.1% |
BX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SAZ leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SAZ is the less volatile stock with a 0.52 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BX's 1.53 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SAZ currently trades 99.9% from its 52-week high vs BX's 65.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SAZSaratoga Investme… | BXBlackstone Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.52x | 1.53x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $25.76 | $190.09 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.95 | $101.73 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.9% | +65.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 78.4 | 51.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 6K | 7.2M |
SAZ leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
SAZ leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, SAZ offers the higher dividend yield at 11.38% vs BX's 6.18%.
| Metric | SAZSaratoga Investme… | BXBlackstone Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $156.29 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 29 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +11.4% | +6.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.93 | $7.70 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.3% |
SAZ leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
BX leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SAZ leads in 3 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility).
Best OverallSaratoga Investment Corp 8.… (SAZ)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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SAZ vs BX: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SAZ or BX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
50% (SAZ) is the stronger pick with 35. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 21. 6% for Blackstone Inc. (BX). Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 50% (SAZ) offers the better valuation at 12. 7x trailing P/E (10. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Blackstone Inc. (BX) a "Buy" — based on 29 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.
02Which has the better valuation — SAZ or BX?
On trailing P/E, Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
50% (SAZ) is the cheapest at 12. 7x versus Blackstone Inc. at 32. 1x. On forward P/E, Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 50% is actually cheaper at 10. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SAZ or BX?
Over the past 5 years, Blackstone Inc.
(BX) delivered a total return of +64. 8%, compared to +27. 4% for Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 50% (SAZ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BX returned +487. 1% versus SAZ's +27. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — SAZ or BX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
50% (SAZ) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 52β versus Blackstone Inc. 's 1. 53β — meaning BX is approximately 194% more volatile than SAZ relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Blackstone Inc. (BX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 61% versus 199% for Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 50% — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SAZ or BX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
50% (SAZ) is pulling ahead at 35. 4% versus 21. 6% for Blackstone Inc. (BX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 50% grew EPS 184. 5% year-over-year, compared to 7. 2% for Blackstone 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.
06Which has better profit margins — SAZ or BX?
Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
50% (SAZ) is the more profitable company, earning 29. 8% net margin versus 21. 8% for Blackstone Inc. — meaning it keeps 29. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BX leads at 51. 9% versus 33. 9% for SAZ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BX leads at 86. 0%, 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.
07Is SAZ or BX more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
50% (SAZ) trades at 10. 4x forward P/E versus 20. 9x for Blackstone Inc. — 10. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — SAZ or BX?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 50% (SAZ) offers the highest yield at 11. 4%, versus 6. 2% for Blackstone Inc. (BX).
09Is SAZ or BX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
50% (SAZ) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 52), 11. 4% yield). Blackstone Inc. (BX) carries a higher beta of 1. 53 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SAZ: +27. 4%, BX: +487. 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.
10What are the main differences between SAZ and BX?
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.
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.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(SAZ: 35.4% · BX: 21.6%)Net Margin>
%
(SAZ: 29.8% · BX: 21.8%)P/E Ratio<
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