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ADSK vs. APP: Autodesk vs. AppLovin Stock Comparison

How do Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP) are both classified in the Application Software sub-industry within the broader Software industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Autodesk (ADSK) has more than two decades of public-market history since June 28, 1985, whereas AppLovin (APP) listed on April 15, 2021 and has a much shorter record to draw on.

Company profile comparison for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
Profile ItemADSKAPP
NameAutodesk Inc.AppLovin Corporation Class A Common Stock
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSoftware & ServicesSoftware & Services
GICS IndustrySoftwareSoftware
GICS Sub-IndustryApplication SoftwareApplication Software
Market Capitalization54.70 billion USD129.62 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateJune 28, 1985April 15, 2021
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ADSK
APP
GSPC
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
MetricADSKAPP
Total Return (1Y)-11.86%-34.71%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)8.57%116.87%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-4.48%31.34%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ADSK
APP
GSPC
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

AppLovin (APP) carries a highly aggressive beta of 2.25, indicating much higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, whereas Autodesk (ADSK) is closer to market-like at 1.22 — a noticeable difference in market-sensitivity profile.

Risk profile metrics for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
MetricADSKAPP
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)40.23%80.36%
Beta (5Y)1.222.25
Max Drawdown (5Y)-50.75%-91.90%
Avg. Volume (3M)2.05M5.33M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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ADSK and APP are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
MetricADSKAPP
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.40-0.49
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.57-0.69

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but AppLovin (APP) at 210.09% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Autodesk (ADSK) at 53.85% also sits in the top quartile.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

53.85%

ADSK
53.85%
Max
53.85%
Q3
17.90%
Median
6.59%
Q1
-9.59%
Min
-50.52%

APP

Software & Services industry group

210.09%

APP
210.09%
Max
53.85%
Q3
17.90%
Median
6.59%
Q1
-9.59%
Min
-50.52%
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their ROE against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

AppLovin (APP) at 65.89% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Autodesk (ADSK) at 21.08% also retains a top-quartile share.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

21.08%

Max
41.17%
ADSK
21.08%
Q3
15.28%
Median
4.63%
Q1
-5.42%
Min
-33.17%

APP

Software & Services industry group

65.89%

APP
65.89%
Max
41.17%
Q3
15.28%
Median
4.63%
Q1
-5.42%
Min
-33.17%
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their net margin against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

AppLovin (APP) at 78.22% shows unusually strong operating efficiency — above its industry’s operating margin range — and Autodesk (ADSK) at 29.23% also operates in the top quartile.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

29.23%

Max
46.89%
ADSK
29.23%
Q3
17.64%
Median
8.73%
Q1
-2.13%
Min
-30.45%

APP

Software & Services industry group

78.22%

APP
78.22%
Max
46.89%
Q3
17.64%
Median
8.73%
Q1
-2.13%
Min
-30.45%
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their operating margin against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
MetricADSKAPP
ROE (TTM)53.85%210.09%
ROA (TTM)11.47%49.57%
Net Margin (TTM)21.08%65.89%
Operating Margin (TTM)29.23%78.22%
Gross Margin (TTM)92.50%88.78%

Growth

Revenue Growth

AppLovin (APP) at 69.99% clears its industry range for revenue growth, far stronger top-line momentum than Autodesk (ADSK) at 17.53%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

AppLovin (APP) at 115.23% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Autodesk (ADSK) at 2.15% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for APP.

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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
MetricADSKAPP
Revenue Growth (YoY)17.53%69.99%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)12.92%24.84%
EPS Growth (YoY)2.15%115.23%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)11.43%--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AppLovin (APP) at 3.81 carries current ratio above its industry’s typical mid-range, while Autodesk (ADSK) at 0.86 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — different working-capital profiles, both worth examining.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

0.86

Max
5.11
Q3
2.77
Median
1.67
Q1
1.01
ADSK
0.86
Min
0.03

APP

Software & Services industry group

3.81

Max
5.11
APP
3.81
Q3
2.77
Median
1.67
Q1
1.01
Min
0.03
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their current ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Autodesk (ADSK) at 1.10 and AppLovin (APP) at 1.07 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

1.10

Max
2.52
Q3
1.13
ADSK
1.10
Median
0.40
Q1
0.07
Min
0.00

APP

Software & Services industry group

1.07

Max
2.52
Q3
1.13
APP
1.07
Median
0.40
Q1
0.07
Min
0.00
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
MetricADSKAPP
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.863.81
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.101.07
Net Debt / EBITDA-0.200.06

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Neither Autodesk (ADSK) nor AppLovin (APP) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

ADSK
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

APP

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

APP
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Neither Autodesk (ADSK) nor AppLovin (APP) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

ADSK
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

APP

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

APP
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
MetricADSKAPP
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Autodesk (ADSK) at 33.95 and AppLovin (APP) at 26.34 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

33.95

Max
112.94
Q3
60.32
ADSK
33.95
Median
32.91
Q1
18.77
Min
6.69

APP

Software & Services industry group

26.34

Max
112.94
Q3
60.32
Median
32.91
APP
26.34
Q1
18.77
Min
6.69
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Autodesk (ADSK) at 7.02 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while AppLovin (APP) at 17.04 sits in the pricier quartile — APP costs more per dollar of sales.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

7.02

Max
17.91
Q3
8.78
ADSK
7.02
Median
4.25
Q1
2.23
Min
0.02

APP

Software & Services industry group

17.04

Max
17.91
APP
17.04
Q3
8.78
Median
4.25
Q1
2.23
Min
0.02
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Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Autodesk (ADSK) at 16.17 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and AppLovin (APP) at 39.29 prices even higher, above its industry range.

ADSK

Software & Services industry group

16.17

Max
16.63
ADSK
16.17
Q3
8.50
Median
4.30
Q1
1.92
Min
-3.90

APP

Software & Services industry group

39.29

APP
39.29
Max
16.63
Q3
8.50
Median
4.30
Q1
1.92
Min
-3.90
Loading chart…
Autodesk (ADSK) vs. AppLovin (APP): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Autodesk (ADSK) and AppLovin (APP)
MetricADSKAPP
P/E Ratio (TTM)33.9526.34
P/S Ratio (TTM)7.0217.04
P/B Ratio (MRQ)16.1739.29
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)5.77%2.87%