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MARA vs RIOT
Which Stock Would AI Choose? MARA Holdings (MARA) vs. Riot Platforms (RIOT) Stock Comparison
1. Key Takeaways
- Both MARA and RIOT are Bitcoin miners repositioning themselves as energy and AI-focused digital infrastructure companies.
- RIOT has converted its diversification earlier, already booking contracted data-center revenue from an investment-grade tenant, while MARA remains more leveraged to Bitcoin price swings.
- RIOT carries a stronger analyst consensus (Strong Buy versus Buy) and a larger market capitalization despite both stocks pulling back in recent weeks.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: RIOT is the ticker of choice, favored for its more advanced diversification, contracted revenue visibility, and relatively stronger year-to-date positioning.
- For more context, explore MARA Major News, MARA Today's Price Move, RIOT Major News, and RIOT Today's Price Move.
- For automated, data-driven signals across thousands of tickers, explore Trending AI Robots.
2. Introduction
MARA (MARA Holdings, Inc., formerly Marathon Digital Holdings) and RIOT (Riot Platforms, Inc.) are two of the most widely followed Bitcoin mining companies in the U.S. equity market, and both are now pursuing a similar strategic shift: converting their large power portfolios into data-center capacity for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. This stock comparison is relevant to traders and investors evaluating relative performance, market positioning, and how each company balances exposure to Bitcoin price volatility against the longer-term demand for AI infrastructure. Because the two firms sit at the same intersection of crypto and computing, their diverging execution paths offer a useful lens on risk and opportunity.
3. MARA Overview and Recent Performance
MARA operates as an energy and digital infrastructure company across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. Its core business remains Bitcoin mining, but management has made an aggressive push toward AI and critical IT infrastructure, including a strategic joint venture with Starwood and a definitive agreement to acquire Long Ridge Energy, a combined-cycle power facility that would expand owned and operational capacity by roughly 65%.
Recent market activity has been challenging. In its most recent quarterly report, MARA posted a wider-than-expected loss and an 18% year-over-year revenue decline, driven primarily by lower average Bitcoin prices and higher operating expenses. The company grew its energized hashrate (mining power, measured in exahash per second) roughly 33% year over year to about 72.2 EH/s, but rising network difficulty and weaker coin prices offset fleet expansion. Its Bitcoin treasury also shrank as management sold coins to reduce debt. Sentiment has cooled as the stock trades well below its 52-week high, with analysts trimming price targets even while the broader rating skews toward Buy.
4. RIOT Overview and Recent Performance
RIOT is a vertically integrated Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company with large-scale data-center facilities primarily in Texas. Like MARA, it is diversifying beyond mining, but it has moved further into contracted, recurring revenue. A 2025 agreement with chip designer Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is now generating lease revenue, and AMD exercised an option to double its contracted capacity at Riot's Rockdale, Texas site. Riot also announced a partnership with nuclear reactor developer Terrestrial Energy, though that initiative targets the early 2030s and remains non-binding.
Financially, RIOT reported modest year-over-year revenue growth in its most recent quarter, with a sharp increase in non-mining "other revenues" tied to AI computing demand, even as it recorded a substantial net loss driven by mark-to-market adjustments on digital assets. The stock has been volatile in recent weeks, pulling back from earlier gains, but it retains a positive year-to-date return and a larger market capitalization than MARA. Analysts have trimmed price targets amid an AI-sector selloff while maintaining an overall Strong Buy consensus.
5. Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page is a curated selection of the platform's best-performing automated trading systems. While Tickeron offers hundreds of AI trading bots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers, only the strategies best suited to current market conditions earn a place in this section. These bots vary widely in trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance statistics, and the sets of tickers they trade, with many showing track records measured in double-digit annualized returns. Because the algorithms are refreshed to reflect prevailing market conditions, the page gives traders a way to monitor which automated approaches are currently generating the strongest signals. Explore Trending AI Robots to see which strategies are in the lead right now.
6. Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies share a similar business model but differ meaningfully in execution and positioning. MARA operates a larger mining fleet with higher energized hashrate and a bigger Bitcoin treasury, giving it greater direct leverage to cryptocurrency prices. Its AI pivot is ambitious but still relatively early, with much of the value tied to leases and acquisitions that have yet to fully convert into contracted cash flow. RIOT has diversified earlier, already recording contracted lease revenue from an investment-grade tenant and signaling further capacity expansion.
In terms of relative performance, RIOT has held a positive year-to-date return even after a recent pullback, whereas MARA has declined over the same period. On valuation, MARA appears cheaper on a sales multiple, while RIOT trades at a premium that reflects greater confidence in its data-center revenue. Risk factors also differ: MARA faces heavier dependence on Bitcoin prices and a shrinking treasury, while RIOT must refinance a sizable bridge loan and execute on lease expansion to justify its multiple.
7. Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency, revenue diversification, analyst positioning, and relative market momentum, Tickeron's AI would currently favor RIOT over MARA. The assessment leans on Riot's earlier conversion of its infrastructure into contracted, recurring data-center revenue, its stronger consensus rating, and its more resilient year-to-date performance. That said, the verdict reflects probabilities rather than certainty: Riot's premium valuation and pending financing milestones introduce execution risk, while Mara's larger mining base offers greater upside leverage if Bitcoin prices recover. The AI's preference for RIOT should therefore be understood as a relative, probabilistic tilt rather than a definitive forecast.
8. Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is MARA is a Hold and RIOT is a Hold.
Momentum Indicator for MARA turns negative, indicating new downward trend
MARA saw its Momentum Indicator move below the 0 level on October 01, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new downward move. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 87 similar instances where the indicator turned negative. In 79 of the 87 cases, the stock moved further down in the following days. The odds of a decline are at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
MARA moved below its 50-day moving average on October 01, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for MARA crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 09, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 13 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
The 50-day moving average for MARA moved below the 200-day moving average on October 15, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where MARA declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 89%.
The Aroon Indicator for MARA entered a downward trend on November 05, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator entered the oversold zone -- be on the watch for MARA's price rising or consolidating in the future. That's also the time to consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 51 of 59 cases where MARA's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 86%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for MARA just turned positive on November 03, 2026. Looking at past instances where MARA's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 41 of 47 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 87%.
Following a +7.46% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MARA advanced for three days, in 234 of 267 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
MARA may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 88 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. MARA’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 95 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.367) is normal, around the industry mean (3.008). P/E Ratio (-0.626) is within average values for comparable stocks, (6.695). MARA's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (3.140) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (0.809). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (9.358) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (5.097) is also within normal values, averaging (16.899).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 98 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 99 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. MARA’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 88, placing this stock worse than average.
RIOT in +29.81% Uptrend, rising for three consecutive days on November 04, 2026
Moving higher for three straight days is viewed as a bullish sign. Keep an eye on this stock for future growth. Considering data from situations where RIOT advanced for three days, in 242 of 273 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where RIOT's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 24 of 30 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 80%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 03, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on RIOT as a result. In 69 of 82 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 84%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for RIOT just turned positive on November 03, 2026. Looking at past instances where RIOT's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 37 of 43 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 86%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
The 10-day moving average for RIOT crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 07, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 15 of 16 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
The 50-day moving average for RIOT moved below the 200-day moving average on October 23, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where RIOT declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 87%.
RIOT broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 04, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for RIOT entered a downward trend on November 05, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 79 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. RIOT’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 87 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.526) is normal, around the industry mean (3.008). P/E Ratio (-3.844) is within average values for comparable stocks, (6.695). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.800) is also within normal values, averaging (0.809). Dividend Yield (0.271) settles around the average of (9.358) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (10.504) is also within normal values, averaging (16.899).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 98 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 98 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. RIOT’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 88, placing this stock worse than average.
MARA | RIOT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 54 | 23 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 95 Overvalued | 87 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 99 | 98 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 88 | 79 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 98 | 98 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | n/a |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
RIOT's Valuation (87) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as MARA (95) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that RIOT’s stock grew similarly to MARA’s over the last 12 months.
RIOT's Profit vs Risk Rating (100) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as MARA (100) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that RIOT’s stock grew similarly to MARA’s over the last 12 months.
RIOT's SMR Rating (98) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as MARA (99) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that RIOT’s stock grew similarly to MARA’s over the last 12 months.
RIOT's Price Growth Rating (79) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as MARA (88) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that RIOT’s stock grew similarly to MARA’s over the last 12 months.
RIOT's P/E Growth Rating (98) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as MARA (98) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that RIOT’s stock grew similarly to MARA’s over the last 12 months.
| MARA | RIOT | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 80% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 86% | 2 days ago 83% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 84% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 87% | 2 days ago 86% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 87% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 89% | 2 days ago 89% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 88% | 3 days ago 89% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 89% | 5 days ago 87% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 87% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
MARA’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while RIOT’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- MARA’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- RIOT’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
MARA’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while RIOT’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- MARA’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 6 bearish.
- RIOT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
MARA (@Investment Banks/Brokers) experienced а -18.00% price change this week, while RIOT (@Investment Banks/Brokers) price change was +7.42% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Investment Banks/Brokers industry was -5.45%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -22.25%, and the average quarterly price growth was -27.65%.
Reported Earning Dates
MARA is expected to report earnings on Nov 09, 2026.
RIOT is expected to report earnings on Mar 03, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Investment Banks/Brokers (-5.45% weekly)These banks specialize in underwriting (helping companies with debt financing or equity issuances), IPOs, facilitating mergers and other corporate reorganizations and acting as a broker or financial advisor for institutions. They might also trade securities on their own accounts. Investment banks potentially thrive on expanding its network of clients, since that could help them increase profits. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and CME Group Inc are some of the largest investment banking companies.
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MARA and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MARA has been closely correlated with CLSK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 85% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if MARA jumps, then CLSK could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MARA | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARA | 100% | -14.48% | ||
| CLSK - MARA | 85% Closely correlated | -16.47% | ||
| RIOT - MARA | 78% Closely correlated | -3.97% | ||
| BTBT - MARA | 77% Closely correlated | -15.38% | ||
| GLXY - MARA | 74% Closely correlated | -7.09% | ||
| KEEL - MARA | 71% Closely correlated | -21.43% | ||
More | ||||
RIOT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RIOT has been closely correlated with HUT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 81% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RIOT jumps, then HUT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To RIOT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIOT | 100% | -3.97% | ||
| HUT - RIOT | 81% Closely correlated | -6.11% | ||
| CLSK - RIOT | 80% Closely correlated | -16.47% | ||
| MSTR - RIOT | 79% Closely correlated | -9.29% | ||
| MARA - RIOT | 78% Closely correlated | -14.48% | ||
| COIN - RIOT | 77% Closely correlated | -9.69% | ||
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