AKAM vs. GDS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AKAM and GDS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
AKAM is a standard domestic listing, while GDS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | AKAM | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Akamai Technologies, Inc. | GDS Holdings Limited |
| Country | United States | China |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 10.97 billion USD | 6.18 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGM |
| Listing Date | October 29, 1999 | November 2, 2016 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AKAM 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.04% | 2.49% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -0.73% | 20.44% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -23.68% | -20.91% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -24.67% | -19.97% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.28% | -7.21% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -20.00% | 44.47% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.02M | 12.84M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.26M | 8.70M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 25.26% | 60.09% |
| Beta | 0.76 | 1.53 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AKAM
9.07%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 16.98%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 7.93%
- Min
- -3.97%
AKAM’s Return on Equity of 9.07% is on par with the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
GDS
19.12%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 16.98%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 7.93%
- Min
- -3.97%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s Return on Equity of 19.12% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AKAM
10.40%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.82%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 3.61%
- Min
- -4.62%
AKAM’s Net Profit Margin of 10.40% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the IT Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
GDS
41.75%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.82%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 3.61%
- Min
- -4.62%
GDS’s Net Profit Margin of 41.75% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the IT Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AKAM
12.85%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 21.69%
- Q3
- 14.50%
- Median
- 10.06%
- Q1
- 6.98%
- Min
- 0.06%
AKAM’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.85% is around the midpoint for the IT Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GDS
21.69%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 21.69%
- Q3
- 14.50%
- Median
- 10.06%
- Q1
- 6.98%
- Min
- 0.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.69% places GDS in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.07% | 19.12% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.13% | 5.88% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.40% | 41.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.85% | 21.69% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 59.13% | 21.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AKAM
2.31
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.42
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.44
AKAM’s Current Ratio of 2.31 is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
GDS
1.47
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.42
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.44
GDS’s Current Ratio of 1.47 aligns with the median group of the IT Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AKAM
0.92
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
AKAM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.92 is typical for the IT Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
GDS
1.75
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.75. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AKAM
85.36
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 144.50
- Q3
- 84.49
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 2.59
- Min
- -28.13
AKAM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 85.36 is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
GDS
0.66
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 144.50
- Q3
- 84.49
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 2.59
- Min
- -28.13
GDS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.66 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 | AKAM | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.31 | 1.47 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.98 | 1.29 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.92 | 1.75 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 85.36 | 0.66 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AKAM
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.74%
- Median
- 0.62%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AKAM 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%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.74%
- Median
- 0.62%
- 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 (TTM)
AKAM
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 147.75%
- Q3
- 63.58%
- Median
- 24.63%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AKAM 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%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 147.75%
- Q3
- 63.58%
- Median
- 24.63%
- 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 | AKAM | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AKAM
25.68
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
AKAM’s P/E Ratio of 25.68 is within the middle range for the IT 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.
GDS
10.47
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
In the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s P/E Ratio of 10.47 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AKAM
2.67
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
AKAM’s P/S Ratio of 2.67 aligns with the market consensus for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GDS
4.37
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 4.37 is in the upper echelon for the IT 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 (MRQ)
AKAM
2.61
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
AKAM’s P/B Ratio of 2.61 is within the conventional range for the IT Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
GDS
1.41
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.41 is in the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.68 | 10.47 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.67 | 4.37 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.61 | 1.41 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.93 | -- |