SSTK vs ETSY

For growth investors, Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is the stronger pick with 5. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 7% for Etsy, Inc. (ETSY). Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK) offers the better valuation at 13. 2x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Etsy, Inc. (ETSY) a "Buy" — based on 45 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 Etsy, Inc. at 46. 7x.

Over the past 5 years, Etsy, Inc.

(ETSY) delivered a total return of -58. 8%, compared to -73. 8% for Shutterstock, Inc. (SSTK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ETSY returned +685. 6% 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), Etsy, Inc.

(ETSY) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 22β versus Shutterstock, Inc. 's 1. 48β — meaning SSTK is approximately 21% more volatile than ETSY relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Shutterstock, Inc.

(SSTK) is pulling ahead at 5. 8% versus 2. 7% for Etsy, Inc. (ETSY). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Shutterstock, Inc. grew EPS 23. 8% year-over-year, compared to -40. 9% for Etsy, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SSTK leads at 6. 1% 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.

Etsy, Inc.

(ETSY) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 7% net margin versus 4. 6% for Shutterstock, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ETSY leads at 12. 8% versus 11. 1% for SSTK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ETSY leads at 71. 6%, 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. ETSY does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Etsy, Inc.

(ETSY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 22), +685. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ETSY: +685. 6%, 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 ETSY (Consumer Cyclical)), 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; ETSY is a small-cap quality compounder stock. SSTK pays a dividend while ETSY 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.