SMX
SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company
Specialty Business Services
Market Cap$497.00
5Y Perf.-100.0%
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Stock Comparison
SMX vs CDLX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CDLX
Cardlytics, Inc.
Advertising Agencies
Market Cap$43M
5Y Perf.-98.8%
SMX vs CDLX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SMX | CDLX |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Specialty Business Services | Advertising Agencies |
| Market Cap | $497.00 | $43M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $206M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-4M | $-95M |
| Gross Margin | — | 38.9% |
| Operating Margin | — | -22.8% |
| Total Debt | $6M | $215M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2M | $49M |
SMX vs CDLX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SMX
CDLX
| Stock | Dec 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMX (Security Matte… (SMX) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
| Cardlytics, Inc. (CDLX) | 100 | 1.2 | -98.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SMX vs CDLX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SMX and CDLX are tied at the top with 2 categories each — the right choice depends on your priorities. Cardlytics, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and recent price momentum and sentiment. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
SMX
SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company
The Growth Play
SMX has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- EPS growth 94.3%
- 12.0% 10Y total return vs CDLX's -94.2%
- -17.3% margin vs CDLX's -46.0%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
CDLX
Cardlytics, Inc.
The Income Pick
CDLX is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 3.18
- Lower volatility, beta 3.18, current ratio 1.75x
- Beta 3.18, current ratio 1.75x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality / Margins | SMX | -17.3% margin vs CDLX's -46.0% |
| Stability / Safety | CDLX | Beta 3.18 vs SMX's 4.47 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | CDLX | -63.8% vs SMX's -100.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SMX | -2.8% ROA vs CDLX's -31.5%, ROIC -40.5% vs -18.3% |
SMX vs CDLX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
SMX vs CDLX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCDLXLAGGINGSMX
SMXSMX (Security Matters…
1leads
CDLXCardlytics, Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SMXMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CDLX1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CDLX1/1
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SMX5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CDLX5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CDLX2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
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Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CDLX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CDLX and SMX operate at a comparable scale, with $206M and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | SMXSMX (Security Mat… | CDLXCardlytics, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $206M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$4M | -$23M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$4M | -$95M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$1M | $6M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | +38.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | -22.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | -46.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | +2.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -44.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -647.6% | +3.8% |
CDLX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
CDLX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | SMXSMX (Security Mat… | CDLXCardlytics, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $497 | $43M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4M | $210M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 0.00x | -0.40x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 0.18x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.00x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 4.89x |
CDLX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Profitability & Efficiency
SMX leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SMX delivers a -3.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-3 in annual profit, vs $-9 for CDLX. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CDLX scores 6/9 vs SMX's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | SMXSMX (Security Mat… | CDLXCardlytics, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -3.0% | -8.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.8% | -31.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -40.5% | -18.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -60.1% | -20.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.27x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4M | $167M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2M | $49M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $6M | $215M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.24x | -14.37x |
SMX leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CDLX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CDLX five years ago would be worth $78 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $0 for SMX. Over the past 12 months, CDLX leads with a -63.8% total return vs SMX's -100.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CDLX at -48.8% vs SMX's -99.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SMXSMX (Security Mat… | CDLXCardlytics, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -98.8% | -30.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -100.0% | -63.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | -86.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | -99.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1200.0% | -94.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -99.0% | -48.8% |
CDLX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CDLX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CDLX is the less volatile stock with a 3.18 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SMX's 4.47 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CDLX currently trades 23.8% from its 52-week high vs SMX's 0.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SMXSMX (Security Mat… | CDLXCardlytics, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 4.47x | 3.18x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $20528.69 | $3.28 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.02 | $0.66 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +0.0% | +23.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 30.1 | 36.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.8M | 1.2M |
CDLX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | SMXSMX (Security Mat… | CDLXCardlytics, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
CDLX leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). SMX leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency).
Best OverallCardlytics, Inc. (CDLX)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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SMX vs CDLX: Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Which is the better long-term investment — SMX or CDLX?
Over the past 5 years, Cardlytics, Inc.
(CDLX) delivered a total return of -99. 2%, compared to -100. 0% for SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company (SMX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SMX returned +1200% versus CDLX's -94. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
02Which is safer — SMX or CDLX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cardlytics, Inc.
(CDLX) is the lower-risk stock at 3. 18β versus SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company's 4. 47β — meaning SMX is approximately 40% more volatile than CDLX relative to the S&P 500.
03Which is growing faster — SMX or CDLX?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company grew EPS 94.
3% year-over-year, compared to 50. 1% for Cardlytics, 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.
04Which has better profit margins — SMX or CDLX?
SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company (SMX) is the more profitable company, earning 0.
0% net margin versus -44. 4% for Cardlytics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SMX leads at 0. 0% versus -20. 2% for CDLX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CDLX leads at 45. 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.
05Which pays a better dividend — SMX or CDLX?
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.
06Is SMX or CDLX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company (SMX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1200% 10Y return).
Cardlytics, Inc. (CDLX) 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 (SMX: +1200%, CDLX: -94. 2%), 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.
07What are the main differences between SMX and CDLX?
These companies operate in different sectors (SMX (Industrials) and CDLX (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
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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