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AKAM vs. CTSH: Akamai vs. Cognizant Stock Comparison

How do Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH) 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

Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH) both belong to the IT Services industry, though AKAM is classified under Internet Services & Infrastructure while CTSH falls under IT Consulting & Other Services.

Company profile comparison for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
Profile ItemAKAMCTSH
NameAkamai Technologies, Inc.Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A Common Stock
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSoftware & ServicesSoftware & Services
GICS IndustryIT ServicesIT Services
GICS Sub-IndustryInternet Services & InfrastructureIT Consulting & Other Services
Market Capitalization11.94 billion USD28.93 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateOctober 29, 1999June 19, 1998
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AKAM
CTSH
GSPC
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH), 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 Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
MetricAKAMCTSH
Total Return (1Y)-2.77%-10.80%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-9.48%1.40%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-5.72%-2.88%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AKAM
CTSH
GSPC
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH), 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 Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
MetricAKAMCTSH
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)62.11%43.62%
Beta (5Y)0.690.83
Max Drawdown (5Y)-51.69%-56.08%
Avg. Volume (3M)4.75M6.65M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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AKAM and CTSH 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 Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
MetricAKAMCTSH
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.11-0.35
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.17-0.50

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 7.85% and Cognizant (CTSH) at 17.37% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

7.85%

Max
53.85%
Q3
17.90%
AKAM
7.85%
Median
6.59%
Q1
-9.59%
Min
-50.52%

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

17.37%

Max
53.85%
Q3
17.90%
CTSH
17.37%
Median
6.59%
Q1
-9.59%
Min
-50.52%
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their ROE against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 8.84% and Cognizant (CTSH) at 11.75% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

8.84%

Max
41.17%
Q3
15.28%
AKAM
8.84%
Median
4.63%
Q1
-5.42%
Min
-33.17%

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

11.75%

Max
41.17%
Q3
15.28%
CTSH
11.75%
Median
4.63%
Q1
-5.42%
Min
-33.17%
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their net margin against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 9.88% and Cognizant (CTSH) at 16.30% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

9.88%

Max
46.89%
Q3
17.64%
AKAM
9.88%
Median
8.73%
Q1
-2.13%
Min
-30.45%

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

16.30%

Max
46.89%
Q3
17.64%
CTSH
16.30%
Median
8.73%
Q1
-2.13%
Min
-30.45%
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their operating margin against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
MetricAKAMCTSH
ROE (TTM)7.85%17.37%
ROA (TTM)2.18%10.78%
Net Margin (TTM)8.84%11.75%
Operating Margin (TTM)9.88%16.30%
Gross Margin (TTM)56.39%33.42%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 5.44% and Cognizant (CTSH) at 6.95% post bottom-quartile revenue growth versus peers, pointing to weaker demand or pricing momentum than typical rivals.

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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Akamai (AKAM) at -6.12% and Cognizant (CTSH) at 1.11% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
MetricAKAMCTSH
Revenue Growth (YoY)5.44%6.95%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)5.18%2.80%
EPS Growth (YoY)-6.12%1.11%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-1.98%1.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 2.13 and Cognizant (CTSH) at 2.22 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

2.13

Max
5.11
Q3
2.77
AKAM
2.13
Median
1.67
Q1
1.01
Min
0.03

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

2.22

Max
5.11
Q3
2.77
CTSH
2.22
Median
1.67
Q1
1.01
Min
0.03
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their current ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Cognizant (CTSH) at 0.14 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Akamai (AKAM) at 1.84 uses more debt funding than most peers.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

1.84

Max
2.52
AKAM
1.84
Q3
1.13
Median
0.40
Q1
0.07
Min
0.00

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

0.14

Max
2.52
Q3
1.13
Median
0.40
CTSH
0.14
Q1
0.07
Min
0.00
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
MetricAKAMCTSH
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.132.22
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.840.14
Net Debt / EBITDA5.780.14

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Akamai (AKAM) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Cognizant (CTSH) reports a yield of 1.98%, ranking against industry peers normally.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

AKAM
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

1.98%

CTSH
1.98%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Akamai (AKAM) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Cognizant (CTSH) reports a payout of 23.72%, ranking against industry peers normally.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

AKAM
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

23.72%

CTSH
23.72%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
MetricAKAMCTSH
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%1.98%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%23.72%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Cognizant (CTSH) at 11.81 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Akamai (AKAM) at 32.33 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for CTSH, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

32.33

Max
112.94
Q3
60.32
Median
32.91
AKAM
32.33
Q1
18.77
Min
6.69

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

11.81

Max
112.94
Q3
60.32
Median
32.91
Q1
18.77
CTSH
11.81
Min
6.69
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Cognizant (CTSH) at 1.32 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Akamai (AKAM) at 2.72 prices around its industry’s middle — CTSH costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

2.72

Max
17.91
Q3
8.78
Median
4.25
AKAM
2.72
Q1
2.23
Min
0.02

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

1.32

Max
17.91
Q3
8.78
Median
4.25
Q1
2.23
CTSH
1.32
Min
0.02
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Akamai (AKAM) at 2.32 and Cognizant (CTSH) at 1.97 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

2.32

Max
16.63
Q3
8.50
Median
4.30
AKAM
2.32
Q1
1.92
Min
-3.90

CTSH

Software & Services industry group

1.97

Max
16.63
Q3
8.50
Median
4.30
CTSH
1.97
Q1
1.92
Min
-3.90
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Cognizant (CTSH): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Cognizant (CTSH)
MetricAKAMCTSH
P/E Ratio (TTM)32.3311.81
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.721.32
P/B Ratio (MRQ)2.321.97
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.51%7.19%