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SEAT vs SPHR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Entertainment
SEAT vs SPHR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Internet Content & Information | Entertainment |
| Market Cap | $74M | $4.92B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $533M | $1.33B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-438M | $120M |
| Gross Margin | 68.4% | 48.3% |
| Operating Margin | -71.4% | -10.6% |
| Total Debt | $20M | $1.52B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $103M | $560M |
SEAT vs SPHR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Oct 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT) | 100 | 4.7 | -95.3% |
| Sphere Entertainmen… (SPHR) | 100 | 455.5 | +355.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SEAT vs SPHR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SEAT is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 2.12
SPHR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 21.6%, EPS growth 0.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 19.0%
- 234.5% 10Y total return vs SEAT's -93.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.64, Low D/E 62.9%, current ratio 0.63x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 21.6% revenue growth vs SEAT's -26.4% | |
| Quality / Margins | 9.0% margin vs SEAT's -82.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.64 vs SEAT's 2.12 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +359.1% vs SEAT's -74.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 2.9% ROA vs SEAT's -48.9%, ROIC -5.0% vs -10.3% |
SEAT vs SPHR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SEAT vs SPHR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SPHR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SPHR is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.3B annually — 2.5x SEAT's $533M. SPHR is the more profitable business, keeping 9.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SEAT's -82.2%. On growth, SPHR holds the edge at +37.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $533M | $1.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$329M | $196M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$438M | $120M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$35M | $333M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +68.4% | +48.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -71.4% | -10.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -82.2% | +9.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.5% | +25.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -23.3% | +37.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -43.6% | +98.0% |
Valuation Metrics
SEAT leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $74M | $4.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | -$8M | $5.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.13x | -24.07x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | -0.87x | 175.64x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.13x | 4.79x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 2.03x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — SEAT and SPHR each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SPHR delivers a 5.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $5 in annual profit, vs $-3 for SEAT. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SEAT scores 4/9 vs SPHR's 1/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -3.5% | +5.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -48.9% | +2.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -10.3% | -5.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.4% | -6.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 1 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.63x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$82M | $959M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $103M | $560M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $20M | $1.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -26.45x | 4.10x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SPHR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SPHR five years ago would be worth $32,765 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $693 for SEAT. Over the past 12 months, SPHR leads with a +359.1% total return vs SEAT's -74.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SPHR at 63.5% vs SEAT's -61.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +28.1% | +45.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -74.5% | +359.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -94.3% | +336.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -93.1% | +227.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -93.1% | +234.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -61.6% | +63.5% |
Risk & Volatility
SPHR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SPHR is the less volatile stock with a 1.64 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SEAT's 2.12 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SPHR currently trades 92.8% from its 52-week high vs SEAT's 19.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.12x | 1.64x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $45.20 | $147.40 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.06 | $29.25 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +19.8% | +92.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.4 | 64.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 117K | 729K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $121.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 12 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +24.6% | +0.7% |
SPHR leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). SEAT leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
SEAT vs SPHR: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SEAT or SPHR a better buy right now?
Analysts rate Sphere Entertainment Co.
(SPHR) a "Buy" — based on 12 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 is the better long-term investment — SEAT or SPHR?
Over the past 5 years, Sphere Entertainment Co.
(SPHR) delivered a total return of +227. 7%, compared to -93. 1% for Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SPHR returned +234. 5% versus SEAT's -93. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — SEAT or SPHR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Sphere Entertainment Co.
(SPHR) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 64β versus Vivid Seats Inc. 's 2. 12β — meaning SEAT is approximately 29% more volatile than SPHR relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — SEAT or SPHR?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Sphere Entertainment Co.
grew EPS 0. 0% year-over-year, compared to -62. 8% for Vivid Seats Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SPHR leads at 19. 0% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — SEAT or SPHR?
Sphere Entertainment Co.
(SPHR) is the more profitable company, earning -19. 5% net margin versus -75. 2% for Vivid Seats Inc. — meaning it keeps -19. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SEAT leads at -7. 3% versus -21. 7% for SPHR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SEAT leads at 61. 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — SEAT or SPHR?
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.
07Is SEAT or SPHR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Sphere Entertainment Co.
(SPHR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+234. 5% 10Y return). Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT) carries a higher beta of 2. 12 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SPHR: +234. 5%, SEAT: -93. 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.
08What are the main differences between SEAT and SPHR?
Both stocks operate in the Communication 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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