VGZ vs GORO vs USAU vs MUX vs GPOR

For growth investors, Gold Resource Corporation (GORO) is the stronger pick with 44.

0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 13. 2% for McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX). Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) offers the better valuation at 8. 3x trailing P/E (7. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ) a "Buy" — based on 2 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, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the cheapest at 8.

3x versus McEwen Mining Inc. at 39. 6x. On forward P/E, Gulfport Energy Corporation is actually cheaper at 7. 0x.

Over the past 5 years, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) delivered a total return of +145.

1%, compared to -45. 8% for Gold Resource Corporation (GORO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VGZ returned +220. 9% versus USAU's -68. 0%. 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), Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

14β versus McEwen Mining Inc. 's 1. 27β — meaning MUX is approximately 785% more volatile than GPOR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 2% for Gold Resource Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Gold Resource Corporation (GORO) is pulling ahead at 44.

0% versus 13. 2% for McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Gulfport Energy Corporation grew EPS 245. 9% year-over-year, compared to -143. 2% for U. S. Gold Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MUX leads at 21. 4% 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.

Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the more profitable company, earning 32.

3% net margin versus -6. 9% for Gold Resource Corporation — meaning it keeps 32. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GPOR leads at 37. 9% versus -6. 5% for MUX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GPOR leads at 70. 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, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) trades at 7.

0x forward P/E versus 28. 6x for Gold Resource Corporation — 21. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VGZ: 100. 0% to $4. 50.

In this comparison, MUX (0.

2% yield) pays a dividend. VGZ, GORO, USAU, GPOR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

14), +145. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GPOR: +145. 1%, MUX: -0. 1%), 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 (VGZ (Basic Materials) and GORO (Basic Materials) and USAU (Basic Materials) and MUX (Basic Materials) and GPOR (Energy)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: VGZ is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GORO is a small-cap high-growth stock; USAU is a small-cap quality compounder stock; MUX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GPOR is a small-cap high-growth stock. 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.