MetaCap

Aveanna Healthcare (AVAH) vs LifeStance Health Group (LFST)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

LifeStance Health Group (LFST) has outperformed Aveanna Healthcare (AVAH) over the past year, gaining 119.0% versus a gain of 44.3%. Over five years, AVAH leads with a +82.9% price change compared with +5.3% for LFST. LifeStance Health Group is the larger company by market cap ($4.56 billion vs $2.68 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while Aveanna Healthcare is growing revenue faster (+20.2% vs +13.9%).

On valuation, Aveanna Healthcare trades at a lower forward P/E (13.5x vs 27.8x for LifeStance Health Group). Aveanna Healthcare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.2% versus 0.7%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

AVAH+44.31%LFST+118.99%
+150%+57%-36%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
AVAH+69.33%LFST-6.05%
+103%+2%-99%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

AVAH versus LFST key metrics
MetricAVAHLFST
Share price$12.26$11.99
Market cap$2.68B$4.56B
1-day change-0.45%-1.03%
YTD return+50.67%+72.02%
1-year return+44.31%+118.99%
5-year return+82.91%+5.30%
P/E ratio (TTM)9.7392.19
Forward P/E13.5027.82
EPS (TTM)$1.26$0.13
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$2.43B$1.42B
Revenue growth (YoY)+20.19%+13.85%
Net income (latest FY)$225.03M$9.66M
Gross margin33.31%—
Operating margin10.54%1.70%
Net margin9.25%0.68%
52-week high$14.71$13.56
52-week low$5.93$4.77
Distance from 52-week high-16.69%-11.62%
Analyst consensusbuybuy
Avg. price target upside+21.18%+20.15%
Average volume3.06M4.36M
Shares outstanding218.29M380.15M
Employees3,5008,542
SectorHealth CareHealth Care
IndustryMedical/Nursing ServicesMedical/Nursing Services

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • LFST has outperformed AVAH by 74.7 percentage points over the past year.
  • LifeStance Health Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (92.2x vs 9.7x trailing P/E).
  • Aveanna Healthcare is more profitable, keeping 9.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 0.7 cents for LifeStance Health Group.
  • Aveanna Healthcare grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+20.19% vs +13.85%).

About Aveanna Healthcare

AVAH stock →

Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc., a diversified home care platform company, provides pediatric and adult healthcare services in the United States. Its patient-centered care delivery platform allows patients to remain in their homes and minimizes the overutilization of high-cost care settings, such as hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.

Health Care · Medical/Nursing Services · 3,500 employees

About LifeStance Health Group

LFST stock →

LifeStance Health Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides outpatient mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics in the United States. The company offers patients a multidisciplinary suite of mental health services, psychiatric evaluations and treatment, psychological, and neuropsychological testing, as well as individual, family, and group therapy.

Health Care · Medical/Nursing Services · 8,542 employees

AVAH vs LFST FAQ

Which is bigger, Aveanna Healthcare or LifeStance Health Group?

LifeStance Health Group (LFST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.56B compared with $2.68B for Aveanna Healthcare (AVAH).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, AVAH or LFST?

LFST returned +118.99% over the past 12 months, compared with +44.31% for AVAH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, AVAH or LFST?

AVAH has the lower trailing P/E at 9.7, versus 92.2 for LFST. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Are Aveanna Healthcare and LifeStance Health Group in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Medical/Nursing Services industry within the Health Care sector.

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