ACN vs. NOW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 22, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ACN and NOW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	ACN	NOW
Company Name	Accenture plc	ServiceNow, Inc.
Country	Ireland	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	IT Services	Software
Market Capitalization	158.86 billion USD	184.74 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	July 19, 2001	June 29, 2012
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ACN and NOW by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ACN vs. NOW: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ACN	NOW
5-Day Price Return	3.61%	4.63%
13-Week Price Return	-20.14%	-13.21%
26-Week Price Return	-34.52%	-10.03%
52-Week Price Return	-22.58%	6.89%
Month-to-Date Return	-4.51%	-5.61%
Year-to-Date Return	-27.50%	-16.02%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.84M	2.27M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.64M	1.60M
3-Month Volatility	28.16%	26.69%
Beta	1.30	0.94

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ACN

27.11%

IT Services Industry

Max: 29.51%
Q3: 16.98%
Median: 13.47%
Q1: 7.93%
Min: -3.97%

In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, ACN’s Return on Equity of 27.11% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NOW

16.62%

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

NOW’s Return on Equity of 16.62% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ACN

11.61%

IT Services Industry

Max: 19.82%
Q3: 11.49%
Median: 6.67%
Q1: 3.61%
Min: -4.62%

A Net Profit Margin of 11.61% places ACN in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

NOW

13.78%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

NOW’s Net Profit Margin of 13.78% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ACN

15.38%

IT Services Industry

Max: 21.69%
Q3: 14.50%
Median: 10.06%
Q1: 6.98%
Min: 0.06%

An Operating Profit Margin of 15.38% places ACN in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

NOW

13.28%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

NOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.28% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ACN	NOW
Return on Equity (TTM)	27.11%	16.62%
Return on Assets (TTM)	13.30%	8.12%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	11.61%	13.78%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	15.38%	13.28%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	32.07%	78.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ACN

1.46

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.42
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.47
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.44

ACN’s Current Ratio of 1.46 aligns with the median group of the IT Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

NOW

1.09

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

NOW’s Current Ratio of 1.09 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ACN

0.17

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.33
Q3: 1.17
Median: 0.54
Q1: 0.15
Min: 0.00

ACN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.17 is typical for the IT Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

NOW

0.14

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

NOW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.14 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ACN

4,205.92

IT Services Industry

Max: 144.50
Q3: 84.49
Median: 13.76
Q1: 2.59
Min: -28.13

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 4,205.92, ACN demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the IT Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

NOW

32.13

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

NOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.13 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ACN	NOW
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.46	1.09
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.46	0.99
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.17	0.14
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	4,205.92	32.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

ACN vs. NOW: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ACN vs. NOW: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ACN

2.24%

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.80%
Q3: 1.74%
Median: 0.62%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 2.24%, ACN offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 0.08%
Q3: 0.03%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOW currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ACN

45.12%

IT Services Industry

Max: 147.75%
Q3: 63.58%
Median: 24.63%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ACN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 45.12% is within the typical range for the IT Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 1.32%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOW has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ACN	NOW
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.24%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	45.12%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ACN

20.18

IT Services Industry

Max: 41.55
Q3: 31.54
Median: 23.25
Q1: 18.12
Min: 6.57

ACN’s P/E Ratio of 20.18 is within the middle range for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

NOW

111.05

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

A P/E Ratio of 111.05 places NOW in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ACN

2.34

IT Services Industry

Max: 6.61
Q3: 4.37
Median: 2.02
Q1: 1.20
Min: 0.19

ACN’s P/S Ratio of 2.34 aligns with the market consensus for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

NOW

15.30

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

NOW’s P/S Ratio of 15.30 is in the upper echelon for the Software industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ACN

6.44

IT Services Industry

Max: 11.19
Q3: 6.38
Median: 3.47
Q1: 2.31
Min: 0.96

ACN’s P/B Ratio of 6.44 is in the upper tier for the IT Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

NOW

19.48

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

NOW’s P/B Ratio of 19.48 is in the upper tier for the Software industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

ACN vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective IT Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ACN	NOW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	20.18	111.05
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.34	15.30
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	6.44	19.48
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	15.66	48.48