SRFM vs MESA

For growth investors, Surf Air Mobility Inc.

(SRFM) is the stronger pick with -10. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -19. 9% for Mesa Air Group, Inc. (MESA). Analysts rate Surf Air Mobility Inc. (SRFM) a "Hold" — based on 3 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, Mesa Air Group, Inc.

(MESA) delivered a total return of +88. 3%, compared to -93. 5% for Surf Air Mobility Inc. (SRFM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MESA returned +78. 7% versus SRFM's -93. 5%. 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), Mesa Air Group, Inc.

(MESA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 82β versus Surf Air Mobility Inc. 's 3. 58β — meaning SRFM is approximately 340% more volatile than MESA relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Surf Air Mobility Inc.

(SRFM) is pulling ahead at -10. 8% versus -19. 9% for Mesa Air Group, Inc. (MESA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Surf Air Mobility Inc. grew EPS 8. 8% year-over-year, compared to -82. 4% for Mesa Air Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SRFM leads at 73. 9% 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.

Mesa Air Group, Inc.

(MESA) is the more profitable company, earning -39. 9% net margin versus -103. 8% for Surf Air Mobility Inc. — meaning it keeps -39. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MESA leads at -46. 5% versus -72. 1% for SRFM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MESA leads at 99. 1%, 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, Mesa Air Group, Inc.

(MESA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 82)). Surf Air Mobility Inc. (SRFM) carries a higher beta of 3. 58 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MESA: +78. 7%, SRFM: -93. 5%), 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 Industrials 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.