AI vs. NOW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AI and NOW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
NOW’s market capitalization of 216.41 billion USD is significantly greater than AI’s 3.37 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
AI’s beta of 2.04 points to significantly higher volatility compared to NOW (beta: 0.96), suggesting AI has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | AI | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | C3.ai, Inc. | ServiceNow, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Information Technology Services | Software - Application |
| CEO | Thomas M. Siebel | William R. McDermott |
| Price | 25.75 USD | 1,044.69 USD |
| Market Cap | 3.37 billion USD | 216.41 billion USD |
| Beta | 2.04 | 0.96 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | December 9, 2020 | June 29, 2012 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AI 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AI
-33.64%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 23.27%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -26.63%
AI has a negative Return on Equity of -33.64%. 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.
NOW
16.32%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 17.85%
- Median
- 4.73%
- Q1
- -10.56%
- Min
- -52.94%
NOW’s Return on Equity of 16.32% is on par with the norm for the Software - Application industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
AI
-36.41%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 28.29%
- Q3
- 13.19%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- -18.82%
AI has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -36.41%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
NOW
9.53%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 35.07%
- Q3
- 9.72%
- Median
- 0.76%
- Q1
- -8.68%
- Min
- -34.12%
NOW’s Return on Invested Capital of 9.53% is in line with the norm for the Software - Application industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
AI
-74.21%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 20.47%
- Q3
- 11.62%
- Median
- 5.97%
- Q1
- 1.89%
- Min
- -4.62%
AI has a negative Net Profit Margin of -74.21%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
NOW
13.41%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 16.07%
- Median
- 1.83%
- Q1
- -9.60%
- Min
- -45.64%
NOW’s Net Profit Margin of 13.41% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software - Application industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
AI
-83.39%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 29.42%
- Q3
- 14.75%
- Median
- 8.92%
- Q1
- 2.62%
- Min
- -11.92%
AI has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -83.39%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
NOW
12.93%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 51.67%
- Q3
- 15.35%
- Median
- 1.79%
- Q1
- -12.42%
- Min
- -45.17%
NOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.93% is around the midpoint for the Software - Application industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AI | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -33.64% | 16.32% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -28.14% | 7.33% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -36.41% | 9.53% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -74.21% | 13.41% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -83.39% | 12.93% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 60.62% | 78.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AI
6.86
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 3.41
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.58
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.00
AI’s Current Ratio of 6.86 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Information Technology Services 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.
NOW
1.12
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 5.09
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.70
- Q1
- 1.12
- Min
- 0.04
NOW’s Current Ratio of 1.12 aligns with the median group of the Software - Application industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AI
--
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.01
Debt-to-Equity Ratio data for AI is currently unavailable.
NOW
0.24
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 1.85
- Q3
- 0.77
- Median
- 0.18
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
NOW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.24 is typical for the Software - Application industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AI
--
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 17.52
- Q3
- 10.04
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- -10.50
Interest Coverage Ratio data for AI is currently unavailable.
NOW
64.48
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 39.23
- Q3
- 8.55
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- -14.59
- Min
- -39.97
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 64.48, NOW demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software - Application industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AI | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 6.86 | 1.12 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 6.86 | 1.12 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | -- | 0.24 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | -- | 0.11 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 0.52 | -0.42 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 64.48 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AI and NOW. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AI
0.00%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 16.57%
- Q3
- 1.39%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AI 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.
NOW
0.00%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 3.66%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AI
0.00%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 112.81%
- Q3
- 20.98%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AI 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.
NOW
0.00%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 81.09%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AI | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AI
-11.88
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 49.12
- Q3
- 36.91
- Median
- 24.84
- Q1
- 15.88
- Min
- 1.55
AI has a negative P/E Ratio of -11.88. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
NOW
140.48
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 194.31
- Q3
- 98.56
- Median
- 51.87
- Q1
- 22.76
- Min
- 1.02
A P/E Ratio of 140.48 places NOW in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AI
0.53
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.03
In the lower quartile for the Information Technology Services industry, AI’s Forward PEG Ratio of 0.53 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
NOW
7.51
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 15.44
- Q3
- 6.57
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.00
A Forward PEG Ratio of 7.51 places NOW in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AI
8.66
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 8.15
- Q3
- 4.17
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.10
With a P/S Ratio of 8.66, AI trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Information Technology Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
NOW
18.87
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 23.49
- Q3
- 11.14
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 2.84
- Min
- 0.33
NOW’s P/S Ratio of 18.87 is in the upper echelon for the Software - Application 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
AI
4.09
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.
NOW
21.31
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 21.03
- Q3
- 10.49
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- 2.89
- Min
- 0.12
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Application industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AI | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -11.88 | 140.48 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 0.53 | 7.51 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 8.66 | 18.87 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 4.09 | 21.31 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -75.83 | 58.94 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -10.17 | 92.23 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 8.24 | 18.78 |