TARS vs RXST vs LNTH vs LMAT vs MDT

For growth investors, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(TARS) is the stronger pick with 146. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 9% for RxSight, Inc. (RXST). Medtronic plc (MDT) offers the better valuation at 21. 6x trailing P/E (14. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (TARS) a "Buy" — based on 9 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, Medtronic plc (MDT) is the cheapest at 21.

6x versus LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. at 42. 8x. On forward P/E, Medtronic plc is actually cheaper at 14. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. wins at 1. 92x versus Medtronic plc's 36. 00x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Lantheus Holdings, Inc.

(LNTH) delivered a total return of +314. 2%, compared to -63. 7% for RxSight, Inc. (RXST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LNTH returned +41. 9% versus RXST's -63. 7%. 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), Medtronic plc (MDT) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

47β versus RxSight, Inc. 's 1. 73β — meaning RXST is approximately 270% more volatile than MDT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Lantheus Holdings, Inc. (LNTH) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 59% for Medtronic plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(TARS) is pulling ahead at 146. 7% versus -3. 9% for RxSight, Inc. (RXST). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. grew EPS 48. 2% year-over-year, compared to -33. 8% for RxSight, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TARS leads at 159. 5% 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.

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(LMAT) is the more profitable company, earning 23. 1% net margin versus -29. 0% for RxSight, Inc. — meaning it keeps 23. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LMAT leads at 27. 2% versus -35. 8% for RXST. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TARS leads at 93. 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. (LMAT) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 92x versus Medtronic plc's 36. 00x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Medtronic plc (MDT) trades at 14. 1x forward P/E versus 37. 2x for LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. — 23. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for RXST: 85. 3% to $10. 75.

In this comparison, MDT (3.

6% yield), LMAT (0. 7% yield) pay a dividend. TARS, RXST, LNTH do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(LMAT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 57), 0. 7% yield, +608. 6% 10Y return). RxSight, Inc. (RXST) carries a higher beta of 1. 73 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LMAT: +608. 6%, RXST: -63. 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.

Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: TARS is a small-cap high-growth stock; RXST is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LNTH is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LMAT is a small-cap quality compounder stock; MDT is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. LMAT, MDT pay a dividend while TARS, RXST, LNTH 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.