AFRM vs. GDS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AFRM and GDS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
GDS’s market capitalization of 140.20 billion USD is significantly greater than AFRM’s 22.30 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
AFRM’s beta of 3.58 points to significantly higher volatility compared to GDS (beta: 0.23), suggesting AFRM has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
GDS is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), allowing U.S. investors direct exposure to its non-U.S. operations. AFRM, on the other hand, is a domestic entity.
Symbol | AFRM | GDS |
---|---|---|
Company Name | Affirm Holdings, Inc. | GDS Holdings Limited |
Country | US | CN |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Information Technology Services |
CEO | Max Roth Levchin | Wei Huang |
Price | 69.19 USD | 33.98 USD |
Market Cap | 22.30 billion USD | 140.20 billion USD |
Beta | 3.58 | 0.23 |
Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
IPO Date | January 13, 2021 | November 2, 2016 |
ADR | No | Yes |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AFRM and GDS 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AFRM
-2.22%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
AFRM has a negative Return on Equity of -2.22%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
GDS
16.65%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 23.27%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -26.63%
GDS’s Return on Equity of 16.65% is on par with the norm for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
AFRM
-0.85%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
AFRM has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -0.85%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
GDS
1.92%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 28.29%
- Q3
- 13.19%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- -18.82%
GDS’s Return on Invested Capital of 1.92% is in line with the norm for the Information Technology Services industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
AFRM
-2.07%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
AFRM has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.07%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
GDS
30.83%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 20.47%
- Q3
- 11.62%
- Median
- 5.97%
- Q1
- 1.89%
- Min
- -4.62%
GDS’s Net Profit Margin of 30.83% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Information Technology Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin
AFRM
-2.53%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
AFRM has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -2.53%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
GDS
10.23%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 29.42%
- Q3
- 14.75%
- Median
- 8.92%
- Q1
- 2.62%
- Min
- -11.92%
GDS’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.23% is around the midpoint for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
Symbol | AFRM | GDS |
---|---|---|
Return on Equity (TTM) | -2.22% | 16.65% |
Return on Assets (TTM) | -0.60% | 4.65% |
Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -0.85% | 1.92% |
Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -2.07% | 30.83% |
Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -2.53% | 10.23% |
Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 71.61% | 22.02% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AFRM
63.09
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
AFRM’s Current Ratio of 63.09 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
GDS
1.28
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 3.41
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.58
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s Current Ratio of 1.28 aligns with the median group of the Information Technology Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AFRM
2.56
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
AFRM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Software - Infrastructure industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.56. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
GDS
1.89
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.01
GDS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Information Technology Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.89. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AFRM
-0.24
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
AFRM has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -0.24. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
GDS
0.74
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 17.52
- Q3
- 10.04
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- -10.50
GDS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.74 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
Symbol | AFRM | GDS |
---|---|---|
Current Ratio (TTM) | 63.09 | 1.28 |
Quick Ratio (TTM) | 63.09 | 1.28 |
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 2.56 | 1.89 |
Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.71 | 0.60 |
Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 19.75 | 7.92 |
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -0.24 | 0.74 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AFRM and GDS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AFRM
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AFRM 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.
GDS
0.00%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 16.57%
- Q3
- 1.39%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GDS 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AFRM
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AFRM 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.
GDS
0.00%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 112.81%
- Q3
- 20.98%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GDS 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.
Dividend at a Glance
Symbol | AFRM | GDS |
---|---|---|
Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AFRM
-360.51
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
AFRM has a negative P/E Ratio of -360.51. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
GDS
35.44
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 49.12
- Q3
- 36.91
- Median
- 24.84
- Q1
- 15.88
- Min
- 1.55
GDS’s P/E Ratio of 35.44 is within the middle range for the Information Technology 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.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AFRM
-6.16
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
AFRM has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -6.16. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
GDS
28.19
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.03
GDS’s Forward PEG Ratio of 28.19 is exceptionally high for the Information Technology Services industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AFRM
7.42
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
AFRM’s P/S Ratio of 7.42 aligns with the market consensus for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GDS
4.26
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 8.15
- Q3
- 4.17
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.10
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 4.26 is in the upper echelon for the Information Technology Services 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AFRM
7.80
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 19.94
- Q3
- 10.91
- Median
- 6.33
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.51
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Infrastructure industry.
GDS
5.16
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 11.78
- Q3
- 6.14
- Median
- 3.23
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.42
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Information Technology Services industry.
Valuation at a Glance
Symbol | AFRM | GDS |
---|---|---|
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -360.51 | 35.44 |
Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | -6.16 | 28.19 |
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 7.42 | 4.26 |
Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 7.80 | 5.16 |
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 36.63 | -9.58 |
EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 93.06 | 18.16 |
EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 9.41 | 7.55 |