SSTK vs CSGP

For growth investors, CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the stronger pick with 18. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 8% for Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK). Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK) offers the better valuation at 13. 2x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) a "Buy" — based on 25 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.

On trailing P/E, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the cheapest at 13. 2x versus CoStar Group, Inc. at 2052. 4x.

Over the past 5 years, CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) delivered a total return of -58. 5%, compared to -73. 8% for Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CSGP returned +74. 0% versus SSTK's -36. 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), CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 80β versus Shutterstock, Inc. 's 1. 48β — meaning SSTK is approximately 86% more volatile than CSGP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 14% versus 55% for Shutterstock, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is pulling ahead at 18. 7% versus 5. 8% for Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Shutterstock, Inc. grew EPS 23. 8% year-over-year, compared to -95. 1% for CoStar Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CSGP leads at 14. 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.

Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 6% net margin versus 0. 2% for CoStar Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SSTK leads at 11. 1% versus -2. 2% for CSGP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CSGP leads at 75. 2%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SSTK: 306.

3% to $67. 00.

In this comparison, SSTK (7.

8% yield) pays a dividend. CSGP does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 80)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CSGP: +74. 0%, SSTK: -36. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (SSTK (Communication Services) and CSGP (Real Estate)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: SSTK is a small-cap deep-value stock; CSGP is a mid-cap high-growth stock. SSTK pays a dividend while CSGP 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.