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AKAM vs. DDOG: Akamai vs. Datadog Stock Comparison

How do Akamai (AKAM) and Datadog (DDOG) 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 Datadog (DDOG) both fall under the Software & Services industry group, but AKAM is classified in IT Services while DDOG is classified in Software.

Company profile comparison for Akamai (AKAM) and Datadog (DDOG)
Profile ItemAKAMDDOG
NameAkamai Technologies, Inc.Datadog Inc. Class A
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSoftware & ServicesSoftware & Services
GICS IndustryIT ServicesSoftware
GICS Sub-IndustryInternet Services & InfrastructureApplication Software
Market Capitalization11.94 billion USD64.64 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateOctober 29, 1999September 19, 2019
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AKAM
DDOG
GSPC
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG), 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 Datadog (DDOG). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Datadog (DDOG)
MetricAKAMDDOG
Total Return (1Y)-2.77%-5.64%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-9.48%21.65%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-5.72%-1.69%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

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

Risk Metrics

Datadog (DDOG) has an aggressive beta of 1.57, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Akamai (AKAM) is defensive at 0.69 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.

Risk profile metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Datadog (DDOG)
MetricAKAMDDOG
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)62.11%70.49%
Beta (5Y)0.691.57
Max Drawdown (5Y)-51.69%-68.11%
Avg. Volume (3M)4.75M3.82M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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AKAM and DDOG 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 Datadog (DDOG)
MetricAKAMDDOG
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.11-0.14
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.17-0.21

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 7.85% and Datadog (DDOG) at 6.43% 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%

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

6.43%

Max
53.85%
Q3
17.90%
Median
6.59%
DDOG
6.43%
Q1
-9.59%
Min
-50.52%
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG): A comparison of their ROE against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 8.84% and Datadog (DDOG) at 6.12% 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%

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

6.12%

Max
41.17%
Q3
15.28%
DDOG
6.12%
Median
4.63%
Q1
-5.42%
Min
-33.17%
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG): A comparison of their net margin against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 9.88% and Datadog (DDOG) at 6.33% 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%

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

6.33%

Max
46.89%
Q3
17.64%
Median
8.73%
DDOG
6.33%
Q1
-2.13%
Min
-30.45%
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG): A comparison of their operating margin against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Datadog (DDOG)
MetricAKAMDDOG
ROE (TTM)7.85%6.43%
ROA (TTM)2.18%0.91%
Net Margin (TTM)8.84%6.12%
Operating Margin (TTM)9.88%6.33%
Gross Margin (TTM)56.39%79.61%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Datadog (DDOG) at 27.68% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Akamai (AKAM) at 5.44% is in the bottom quartile, showing a clear gap in revenue momentum.

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

EPS Growth

Akamai (AKAM) at -6.12% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Datadog (DDOG) at -40.38% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

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

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Datadog (DDOG)
MetricAKAMDDOG
Revenue Growth (YoY)5.44%27.68%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)5.18%26.95%
EPS Growth (YoY)-6.12%-40.38%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-1.98%--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Akamai (AKAM) at 2.13 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Datadog (DDOG) at 3.51 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets 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

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

3.51

Max
5.11
DDOG
3.51
Q3
2.77
Median
1.67
Q1
1.01
Min
0.03
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG): A comparison of their current ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Datadog (DDOG) at 0.28 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

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

0.28

Max
2.52
Q3
1.13
Median
0.40
DDOG
0.28
Q1
0.07
Min
0.00
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG): 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 Datadog (DDOG)
MetricAKAMDDOG
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.133.51
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.840.28
Net Debt / EBITDA5.78-23.06

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Neither Akamai (AKAM) nor Datadog (DDOG) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

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%

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Neither Akamai (AKAM) nor Datadog (DDOG) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

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%

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

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

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Datadog (DDOG)
MetricAKAMDDOG
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Akamai (AKAM) at 32.33 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Datadog (DDOG) at 248.67 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for DDOG’s trailing earnings.

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

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

248.67

DDOG
248.67
Max
112.94
Q3
60.32
Median
32.91
Q1
18.77
Min
6.69
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Akamai (AKAM) at 2.72 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Datadog (DDOG) at 15.11 sits in the pricier quartile — DDOG costs more per dollar of sales.

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

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

15.11

Max
17.91
DDOG
15.11
Q3
8.78
Median
4.25
Q1
2.23
Min
0.02
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Akamai (AKAM) at 2.32 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Datadog (DDOG) at 13.71 carries an above-peer premium to book — DDOG is pricier on assets.

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

DDOG

Software & Services industry group

13.71

Max
16.63
DDOG
13.71
Q3
8.50
Median
4.30
Q1
1.92
Min
-3.90
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Akamai (AKAM) vs. Datadog (DDOG): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Datadog (DDOG)
MetricAKAMDDOG
P/E Ratio (TTM)32.33248.67
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.7215.11
P/B Ratio (MRQ)2.3213.71
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.51%1.65%