STRC vs MSTR vs MARA vs RIOT vs CLSK

For growth investors, CleanSpark, Inc.

(CLSK) is the stronger pick with 102. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 0% for Strategy Inc (MSTR). CleanSpark, Inc. (CLSK) offers the better valuation at 12. 0x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Strategy Inc (MSTR) a "Buy" — based on 29 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 forward P/E, MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock is actually cheaper at 3.

4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Strategy Inc (MSTR) delivered a total return of +240.

3%, compared to -44. 3% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MSTR returned +899. 6% versus CLSK's -84. 9%. 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), MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

35β versus Riot Platforms, Inc. 's 3. 92β — meaning RIOT is approximately 1005% more volatile than STRC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 10% versus 105% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(CLSK) is pulling ahead at 102. 2% versus 3. 0% for Strategy Inc (MSTR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CleanSpark, Inc. grew EPS 262. 3% year-over-year, compared to -673. 5% for Riot Platforms, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CLSK leads at 79. 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.

CleanSpark, Inc.

(CLSK) is the more profitable company, earning 47. 6% net margin versus -844. 8% for Strategy Inc — meaning it keeps 47. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CLSK leads at 41. 6% versus -1140. 8% for MSTR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — STRC leads at 68. 7%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) trades at 3.

4x forward P/E versus 3. 4x for Strategy Inc — 0. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for STRC: 152. 0% to $252. 00.

In this comparison, STRC (1.

3% yield), MSTR (0. 7% yield), CLSK (0. 3% yield) pay a dividend. MARA, RIOT do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

35), 1. 3% yield). CleanSpark, Inc. (CLSK) carries a higher beta of 3. 41 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (STRC: +21. 9%, CLSK: -84. 9%), 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 (STRC (Technology) and MSTR (Technology) and MARA (Financial Services) and RIOT (Financial Services) and CLSK (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: STRC is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; MSTR is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; MARA is a small-cap high-growth stock; RIOT is a small-cap high-growth stock; CLSK is a small-cap high-growth stock. STRC, MSTR pay a dividend while MARA, RIOT, CLSK do 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.