SRDX vs LAKE

For growth investors, Lakeland Industries, Inc.

(LAKE) is the stronger pick with 34. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 9% for Surmodics, Inc. (SRDX). Analysts rate Surmodics, Inc. (SRDX) a "Buy" — based on 7 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, Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) delivered a total return of -22. 1%, compared to -58. 3% for Lakeland Industries, Inc. (LAKE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SRDX returned +88. 4% versus LAKE's +34. 0%. 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), Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 48β versus Lakeland Industries, Inc. 's 1. 35β — meaning LAKE is approximately 182% more volatile than SRDX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Lakeland Industries, Inc. (LAKE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 28% for Surmodics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Lakeland Industries, Inc.

(LAKE) is pulling ahead at 34. 1% versus -4. 9% for Surmodics, Inc. (SRDX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Lakeland Industries, Inc. grew EPS -437. 5% year-over-year, compared to -645. 5% for Surmodics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LAKE leads at 12. 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.

Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) is the more profitable company, earning -9. 2% net margin versus -10. 8% for Lakeland Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps -9. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SRDX leads at -4. 5% versus -5. 5% for LAKE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SRDX leads at 73. 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.

In this comparison, LAKE (1.

1% yield) pays a dividend. SRDX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Surmodics, Inc.

(SRDX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 48)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SRDX: +88. 4%, LAKE: +34. 0%), 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 (SRDX (Healthcare) and LAKE (Consumer Cyclical)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: SRDX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LAKE is a small-cap high-growth stock. LAKE pays a dividend while SRDX does 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.