STEP
StepStone Group Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$2.15B
5Y Perf.+106.8%
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Stock Comparison
STEP vs BN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
BN
Brookfield Corporation
Asset Management
Market Cap$102.89B
5Y Perf.+155.4%
STEP vs BN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | STEP | BN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Asset Management | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $2.15B | $102.89B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.17B | $77.66B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-547M | $1.31B |
| Gross Margin | -7.6% | 40.0% |
| Operating Margin | -21.3% | 39.9% |
| Forward P/E | 26.3x | 16.4x |
| Total Debt | $383M | $263.42B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $289M | $16.24B |
STEP vs BN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
STEP
BN
| Stock | Sep 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| StepStone Group Inc. (STEP) | 100 | 206.8 | +106.8% |
| Brookfield Corporat… (BN) | 100 | 255.4 | +155.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: STEP vs BN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: BN leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. StepStone Group Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
STEP
StepStone Group Inc.
The Banking Pick
STEP is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 1.73, yield 1.9%
- Rev growth 65.1%, EPS growth -376.9%
- 65.1% NII/revenue growth vs BN's -9.7%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
BN
Brookfield Corporation
The Banking Pick
BN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 300.6% 10Y total return vs STEP's 139.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.57, current ratio 1.14x
- Beta 1.57, current ratio 1.14x
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | STEP | 65.1% NII/revenue growth vs BN's -9.7% |
| Value | BN | Lower P/E (16.4x vs 26.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | BN | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs STEP's 0.1% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | BN | Beta 1.57 vs STEP's 1.73 |
| Dividends | STEP | 1.9% yield; 4-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | BN | +26.5% vs STEP's +5.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | BN | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs STEP's 0.1% |
STEP vs BN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
STEP vs BN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLBNLAGGINGSTEP
STEPStepStone Group Inc.
1leads
BNBrookfield Corporation
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs STEPMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
BN4/4
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
BN3/4
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
BN6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
BN4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
BN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
STEP1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BN leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BN is the larger business by revenue, generating $77.7B annually — 66.1x STEP's $1.2B. BN is the more profitable business, keeping 1.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to STEP's -15.3%.
| Metric | STEPStepStone Group I… | BNBrookfield Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.2B | $77.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$948M | $32.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$547M | $1.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $19M | -$2.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -7.6% | +40.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -21.3% | +39.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -15.3% | +1.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +5.1% | — |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +40.6% | +73.1% |
BN leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
BN leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | STEPStepStone Group I… | BNBrookfield Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.1B | $102.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.2B | $350.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -21.84x | 9999.00x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 26.30x | 16.45x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 8.49x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.83x | 1.32x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.21x | 0.65x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 35.89x | — |
BN leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BN leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BN delivers a 0.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $1 in annual profit, vs $-10 for STEP. STEP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.22x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to BN's 1.59x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BN scores 5/9 vs STEP's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | STEPStepStone Group I… | BNBrookfield Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -9.8% | +0.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -10.4% | +0.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -8.7% | +5.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -10.6% | +7.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.22x | 1.59x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $93M | $247.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $289M | $16.2B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $383M | $263.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -126.38x | 1.64x |
BN leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BN five years ago would be worth $19,069 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $18,100 for STEP. Over the past 12 months, BN leads with a +26.5% total return vs STEP's +5.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors STEP at 38.5% vs BN's 30.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | STEPStepStone Group I… | BNBrookfield Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -17.0% | -1.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +5.4% | +26.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +165.5% | +122.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +81.0% | +90.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +139.9% | +300.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +38.5% | +30.5% |
BN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BN is the less volatile stock with a 1.57 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than STEP's 1.73 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. BN currently trades 92.5% from its 52-week high vs STEP's 70.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | STEPStepStone Group I… | BNBrookfield Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.73x | 1.57x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $77.80 | $49.57 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $40.58 | $35.95 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +70.7% | +92.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.7 | 55.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.1M | 5.7M |
BN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
STEP leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates STEP as "Buy" and BN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 31.7% upside for STEP (target: $73) vs 18.7% for BN (target: $54). STEP is the only dividend payer here at 1.94% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | STEPStepStone Group I… | BNBrookfield Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $72.50 | $54.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 9 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.9% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.07 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
STEP leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
BN leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). STEP leads in 1 (Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallBrookfield Corporation (BN)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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STEP vs BN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is STEP or BN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, StepStone Group Inc.
(STEP) is the stronger pick with 65. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -9. 7% for Brookfield Corporation (BN). Brookfield Corporation (BN) offers the better valuation at 9999. 0x trailing P/E (16. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate StepStone Group Inc. (STEP) a "Buy" — based on 8 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.
02Which has the better valuation — STEP or BN?
On forward P/E, Brookfield Corporation is actually cheaper at 16.
4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — STEP or BN?
Over the past 5 years, Brookfield Corporation (BN) delivered a total return of +90.
7%, compared to +81. 0% for StepStone Group Inc. (STEP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BN returned +300. 6% versus STEP's +139. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — STEP or BN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Brookfield Corporation (BN) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
57β versus StepStone Group Inc. 's 1. 73β — meaning STEP is approximately 11% more volatile than BN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, StepStone Group Inc. (STEP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 159% for Brookfield Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — STEP or BN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), StepStone Group Inc.
(STEP) is pulling ahead at 65. 1% versus -9. 7% for Brookfield Corporation (BN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Brookfield Corporation grew EPS -99. 8% year-over-year, compared to -376. 9% for StepStone Group 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.
06Which has better profit margins — STEP or BN?
Brookfield Corporation (BN) is the more profitable company, earning 1.
7% net margin versus -15. 3% for StepStone Group Inc. — meaning it keeps 1. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BN leads at 39. 9% versus -21. 3% for STEP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BN leads at 40. 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.
07Is STEP or BN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Brookfield Corporation (BN) trades at 16.
4x forward P/E versus 26. 3x for StepStone Group Inc. — 9. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for STEP: 31. 7% to $72. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — STEP or BN?
In this comparison, STEP (1.
9% yield) pays a dividend. BN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is STEP or BN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, StepStone Group Inc.
(STEP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1. 9% yield, +139. 9% 10Y return). Brookfield Corporation (BN) carries a higher beta of 1. 57 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (STEP: +139. 9%, BN: +300. 6%), 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.
10What are the main differences between STEP and BN?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: STEP is a small-cap high-growth stock; BN is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. STEP pays a dividend while BN 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
- Sector: Financial Services
- Market Cap > $100B
- Revenue Growth > 32%
- Dividend Yield > 0.7%
Revenue Growth>
%
(STEP: 65.1% · BN: -9.7%)You Might Also Compare
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