VYX vs VNET vs GDS vs PAX vs DLR

For growth investors, VNET Group, Inc.

(VNET) is the stronger pick with 11. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 9% for NCR Voyix Corporation (VYX). Patria Investments Limited (PAX) offers the better valuation at 22. 3x trailing P/E (8. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NCR Voyix Corporation (VYX) a "Buy" — based on 15 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, Patria Investments Limited (PAX) is the cheapest at 22.

3x versus VNET Group, Inc. at 92. 4x. On forward P/E, Patria Investments Limited is actually cheaper at 8. 4x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Patria Investments Limited wins at 2. 99x versus Digital Realty Trust, Inc. 's 3. 31x.

Over the past 5 years, Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

(DLR) delivered a total return of +44. 9%, compared to -72. 4% for NCR Voyix Corporation (VYX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GDS returned +319. 0% versus VYX's -52. 8%. 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), Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

(DLR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 77β versus VNET Group, Inc. 's 2. 70β — meaning VNET is approximately 250% more volatile than DLR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Patria Investments Limited (PAX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 31% versus 3% for VNET Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), VNET Group, Inc.

(VNET) is pulling ahead at 11. 4% versus -4. 9% for NCR Voyix Corporation (VYX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: GDS Holdings Limited grew EPS 193. 0% year-over-year, compared to 14. 9% for Patria Investments Limited. Over a 3-year CAGR, VNET leads at 10. 1% 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.

Patria Investments Limited (PAX) is the more profitable company, earning 22.

3% net margin versus 1. 6% for NCR Voyix Corporation — meaning it keeps 22. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PAX leads at 34. 2% versus 1. 0% for VYX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PAX leads at 96. 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, Patria Investments Limited (PAX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 99x versus Digital Realty Trust, Inc. 's 3. 31x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Patria Investments Limited (PAX) trades at 8. 4x forward P/E versus 96. 3x for Digital Realty Trust, Inc. — 87. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VNET: 162. 8% to $23. 55.

In this comparison, PAX (5.

0% yield), DLR (2. 5% yield), VYX (1. 3% yield) pay a dividend. VNET, GDS do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

(DLR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 77), 2. 5% yield, +156. 9% 10Y return). VNET Group, Inc. (VNET) carries a higher beta of 2. 70 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (DLR: +156. 9%, VNET: -36. 8%), 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 (VYX (Technology) and VNET (Technology) and GDS (Technology) and PAX (Financial Services) and DLR (Real Estate)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: VYX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; VNET is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GDS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PAX is a small-cap income-oriented stock; DLR is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. VYX, PAX, DLR pay a dividend while VNET, GDS 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.