Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare MicroStrategy Incorporated (STRK) vs MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | STRK | -6.6% revenue growth vs STRC's -6.6% |
| Quality / Margins | STRK | 16.7% net margin vs STRC's 16.7% |
| Stability / Safety | STRC | Beta 0.57 vs STRK's 0.62 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | STRC | +19.8% vs STRK's -7.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | STRK | 10.8% ROA vs STRC's 10.8%, ROIC -9.3% vs -9.3% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
MicroStrategy is an enterprise analytics software company that provides AI-powered business intelligence platforms for data analysis and decision-making. It generates revenue primarily from software licenses and subscription services (~70%) along with consulting and support services (~30%), while also holding a substantial bitcoin treasury as a strategic asset. The company's key advantage lies in its sophisticated semantic graph technology—which provides unified data access across complex enterprise systems—and its first-mover position in corporate bitcoin adoption.
MicroStrategy is an enterprise analytics and mobility software company that provides business intelligence platforms to help organizations analyze and visualize their data. It generates revenue primarily through software licensing (~60%) and cloud-based subscription services (~40%), supplemented by related consulting and support services. The company's key advantage is its long-standing expertise in enterprise analytics — particularly its HyperIntelligence platform — and its strategic pivot to become a major corporate holder of Bitcoin, which has created significant brand recognition and financial optionality.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
STRC leads in 2 of 6 categories — strongest in Total Returns and Risk & Volatility. 1 category is tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
STRK and STRC operate at a comparable scale, with $475M and $475M in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 16.7% (STRK) to 16.7% (STRC).
| Metric | STRKMicroStrategy Inc… | STRCMicroStrategy Inc… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $475M | $475M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $11.0B | $11.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $7.9B | $7.9B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$18.1B | -$18.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +70.1% | +70.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.1% | +23.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.7% | +16.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -38.2% | -38.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.9% | +10.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.9% | +5.9% |
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | STRKMicroStrategy Inc… | STRCMicroStrategy Inc… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | — | $3.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | — | $10.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -12.93x | -16.50x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 1.38x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 7.31x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.83x | 1.06x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
STRK delivers a 13.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $14 for STRC. STRK carries lower financial leverage with a 0.40x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to STRC's 0.40x.
| Metric | STRKMicroStrategy Inc… | STRCMicroStrategy Inc… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.6% | +13.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +10.8% | +10.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -9.3% | -9.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -12.4% | -12.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.40x | 0.40x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $7.2B | $7.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $38M | $38M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $7.3B | $7.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 156.03x | 156.03x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in STRC five years ago would be worth $11,977 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,566 for STRK. Over the past 12 months, STRC leads with a +19.8% total return vs STRK's -7.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors STRC at 6.2% vs STRK's 1.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | STRKMicroStrategy Inc… | STRCMicroStrategy Inc… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -6.1% | +2.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -7.4% | +19.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +5.7% | +19.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +5.7% | +19.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +5.7% | +19.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +1.9% | +6.2% |
Risk & Volatility
STRC is the less volatile stock with a 0.57 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than STRK's 0.62 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. STRC currently trades 99.6% from its 52-week high vs STRK's 60.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | STRKMicroStrategy Inc… | STRCMicroStrategy Inc… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.62x | 0.57x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $129.48 | $100.42 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $71.40 | $88.00 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +60.5% | +99.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.0 | 55.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 168K | 971K |
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | STRKMicroStrategy Inc… | STRCMicroStrategy Inc… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $252.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 1 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | — | 0.0% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2015 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| MicroStrategy Incor… (STRK) | $530M | $463M | -12.5% |
| MicroStrategy Incor… (STRC) | $530M | $463M | -12.5% |
MicroStrategy Incorporated's revenue grew from $530M (2015) to $463M (2024) — a -1.5% CAGR. MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock's revenue grew from $530M (2015) to $463M (2024) — a -1.5% CAGR.
Chart 2Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2015 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| MicroStrategy Incor… (STRK) | 20.0% | -2.5% | -112.6% |
| MicroStrategy Incor… (STRC) | 20.0% | -2.5% | -112.6% |
MicroStrategy Incorporated's net margin went from 20% (2015) to -3% (2024). MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock's net margin went from 20% (2015) to -3% (2024).
Chart 3EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2015 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| MicroStrategy Incor… (STRK) | 0.92 | -6.06 | -758.7% |
| MicroStrategy Incor… (STRC) | 0.92 | -6.06 | -758.7% |
MicroStrategy Incorporated's EPS grew from $0.92 (2015) to $-6.06 (2024) — a NaN% CAGR. MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock's EPS grew from $0.92 (2015) to $-6.06 (2024) — a NaN% CAGR.
Chart 4Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
MicroStrategy Incorporated generated $-22B FCF in 2024 (-773% vs 2021). MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock generated $-22B FCF in 2024 (-773% vs 2021).
STRK vs STRC: Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is STRK or STRC a better buy right now?
Analysts rate MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) a "Hold" — based on 1 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 is the better long-term investment — STRK or STRC?
Over the past 5 years, MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) delivered a total return of +19.8%, compared to +5.7% for MicroStrategy Incorporated (STRK). A $10,000 investment in STRC five years ago would be worth approximately $12K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: STRC returned +19.8% versus STRK's +5.7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — STRK or STRC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.57β versus MicroStrategy Incorporated's 0.62β — meaning STRK is approximately 10% more volatile than STRC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MicroStrategy Incorporated (STRK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 40% versus 40% for MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which has better profit margins — STRK or STRC?
MicroStrategy Incorporated (STRK) is the more profitable company, earning -251.7% net margin versus -251.7% for MicroStrategy Incorporated Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock — meaning it keeps -251.7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: STRK leads at -399.8% versus -399.8% for STRC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — STRK leads at 72.1%, 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.
05Which pays a better dividend — STRK or STRC?
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.
06Is STRK or STRC better for a retirement portfolio?
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 0.57)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (STRC: +19.8%, STRK: +5.7%), 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.
07What are the main differences between STRK and STRC?
Both stocks operate in the Technology 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.
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