AKAM vs. NOW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AKAM 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 AKAM’s 11.31 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 0.77 for AKAM and 0.96 for NOW, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AKAM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Akamai Technologies, Inc. | ServiceNow, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Software - Application |
| CEO | F. Thomson Leighton | William R. McDermott |
| Price | 79.48 USD | 1,044.69 USD |
| Market Cap | 11.31 billion USD | 216.41 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.77 | 0.96 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | October 29, 1999 | June 29, 2012 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AKAM 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
AKAM
9.52%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
AKAM’s Return on Equity of 9.52% is on par with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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
AKAM
4.40%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
AKAM’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.40% is in line with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
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
AKAM
11.26%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
AKAM’s Net Profit Margin of 11.26% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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
AKAM
12.97%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
AKAM’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.97% is around the midpoint for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
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 | AKAM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.52% | 16.32% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.53% | 7.33% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.40% | 9.53% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.26% | 13.41% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.97% | 12.93% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 59.07% | 78.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AKAM
1.18
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
AKAM’s Current Ratio of 1.18 aligns with the median group of the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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
AKAM
1.01
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
AKAM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.01 is typical for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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
AKAM
17.98
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
AKAM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.98 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
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 | AKAM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.18 | 1.12 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.18 | 1.12 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 1.01 | 0.24 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.46 | 0.11 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 2.78 | -0.42 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 17.98 | 64.48 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AKAM 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
AKAM
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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.
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
AKAM
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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.
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 | AKAM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AKAM
26.17
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
AKAM’s P/E Ratio of 26.17 is within the middle range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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
AKAM
3.08
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
AKAM’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.08 is within the middle range of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
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
AKAM
2.81
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
AKAM’s P/S Ratio of 2.81 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.
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
AKAM
2.58
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.
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 | AKAM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 26.17 | 140.48 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.08 | 7.51 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 2.81 | 18.87 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.58 | 21.31 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 14.33 | 58.94 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 11.70 | 92.23 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.69 | 18.78 |