VERX vs RYAN

For growth investors, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.

(RYAN) is the stronger pick with 21. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 12. 2% for Vertex, Inc. (VERX). Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (RYAN) offers the better valuation at 62. 5x trailing P/E (13. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Vertex, Inc. (VERX) a "Buy" — based on 17 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, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.

(RYAN) is the cheapest at 62. 5x versus Vertex, Inc. at 316. 1x. On forward P/E, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 8x.

Over the past 5 years, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.

(RYAN) delivered a total return of +11. 5%, compared to -30. 4% for Vertex, Inc. (VERX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RYAN returned +11. 5% versus VERX's -47. 2%. 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), Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.

(RYAN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 23β versus Vertex, Inc. 's 0. 83β — meaning VERX is approximately 256% more volatile than RYAN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Vertex, Inc. (VERX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 139% versus 3% for Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.

(RYAN) is pulling ahead at 21. 3% versus 12. 2% for Vertex, Inc. (VERX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Vertex, Inc. grew EPS 111. 8% year-over-year, compared to -33. 8% for Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, RYAN leads at 20. 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.

Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.

(RYAN) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 1% net margin versus 1. 0% for Vertex, Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RYAN leads at 20. 5% versus -1. 0% for VERX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RYAN leads at 90. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.

(RYAN) trades at 13. 8x forward P/E versus 17. 2x for Vertex, Inc. — 3. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VERX: 64. 7% to $20. 82.

In this comparison, RYAN (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. VERX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc.

(RYAN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 23), 0. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (RYAN: +11. 5%, VERX: -47. 2%), 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 (VERX (Technology) and RYAN (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: VERX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; RYAN is a small-cap high-growth stock. RYAN pays a dividend while VERX 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.