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APP vs. CTSH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at APP and CTSH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolAPPCTSH
Company NameAppLovin CorporationCognizant Technology Solutions Corporation
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS IndustrySoftwareIT Services
Market Capitalization156.59 billion USD35.32 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNasdaqGS
Listing DateApril 15, 2021June 19, 1998
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of APP and CTSH 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.

APP vs. CTSH: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAPPCTSH
5-Day Price Return10.55%1.73%
13-Week Price Return21.54%-10.33%
26-Week Price Return11.47%-14.80%
52-Week Price Return415.01%-5.86%
Month-to-Date Return18.49%0.77%
Year-to-Date Return42.96%-5.97%
10-Day Avg. Volume4.68M3.25M
3-Month Avg. Volume5.97M3.71M
3-Month Volatility57.53%22.07%
Beta2.490.97

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

APP

257.74%

Software Industry

Max
59.01%
Q3
21.98%
Median
7.15%
Q1
-11.12%
Min
-51.24%

APP’s Return on Equity of 257.74% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

CTSH

16.50%

IT Services Industry

Max
29.51%
Q3
16.98%
Median
13.47%
Q1
7.93%
Min
-3.97%

CTSH’s Return on Equity of 16.50% is on par with the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

APP

45.72%

Software Industry

Max
48.14%
Q3
18.23%
Median
5.60%
Q1
-9.22%
Min
-49.36%

A Net Profit Margin of 45.72% places APP in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

CTSH

11.89%

IT Services Industry

Max
19.82%
Q3
11.49%
Median
6.67%
Q1
3.61%
Min
-4.62%

A Net Profit Margin of 11.89% places CTSH in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

APP

52.02%

Software Industry

Max
57.34%
Q3
20.60%
Median
7.84%
Q1
-8.72%
Min
-51.37%

An Operating Profit Margin of 52.02% places APP in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

CTSH

15.42%

IT Services Industry

Max
21.69%
Q3
14.50%
Median
10.06%
Q1
6.98%
Min
0.06%

An Operating Profit Margin of 15.42% places CTSH 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.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAPPCTSH
Return on Equity (TTM)257.74%16.50%
Return on Assets (TTM)42.29%12.14%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)45.72%11.89%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)52.02%15.42%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)80.87%34.18%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

APP

2.74

Software Industry

Max
3.83
Q3
2.31
Median
1.45
Q1
1.03
Min
0.24

APP’s Current Ratio of 2.74 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

CTSH

2.41

IT Services Industry

Max
2.42
Q3
1.81
Median
1.47
Q1
1.09
Min
0.44

CTSH’s Current Ratio of 2.41 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.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

APP

3.01

Software Industry

Max
2.14
Q3
0.90
Median
0.29
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.01, APP operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Software industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

CTSH

0.04

IT Services Industry

Max
2.33
Q3
1.17
Median
0.54
Q1
0.15
Min
0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, CTSH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

APP

6.44

Software Industry

Max
67.02
Q3
19.86
Median
0.70
Q1
-12.50
Min
-53.00

APP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.44 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

CTSH

100.81

IT Services Industry

Max
144.50
Q3
84.49
Median
13.76
Q1
2.59
Min
-28.13

CTSH’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 100.81 is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAPPCTSH
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.742.41
Quick Ratio (MRQ)2.542.41
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)3.010.04
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)6.44100.81

Growth

Revenue Growth

APP vs. CTSH: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

APP vs. CTSH: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

APP

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
0.08%
Q3
0.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

APP 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.

CTSH

1.75%

IT Services Industry

Max
2.80%
Q3
1.74%
Median
0.62%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 1.75%, CTSH offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

APP

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
1.32%
Q3
0.53%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

APP 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.

CTSH

24.92%

IT Services Industry

Max
147.75%
Q3
63.58%
Median
24.63%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CTSH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 24.92% is within the typical range for the IT Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAPPCTSH
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%1.75%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%24.92%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

APP

57.41

Software Industry

Max
149.35
Q3
100.21
Median
47.97
Q1
26.77
Min
11.68

APP’s P/E Ratio of 57.41 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

CTSH

14.21

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, CTSH’s P/E Ratio of 14.21 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

APP

26.25

Software Industry

Max
25.24
Q3
13.52
Median
8.15
Q1
4.87
Min
0.98

With a P/S Ratio of 26.25, APP trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

CTSH

1.69

IT Services Industry

Max
6.61
Q3
4.37
Median
2.02
Q1
1.20
Min
0.19

CTSH’s P/S Ratio of 1.69 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.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

APP

101.50

Software Industry

Max
30.95
Q3
14.91
Median
7.75
Q1
3.60
Min
0.38

At 101.50, APP’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

CTSH

2.52

IT Services Industry

Max
11.19
Q3
6.38
Median
3.47
Q1
2.31
Min
0.96

CTSH’s P/B Ratio of 2.52 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.

APP vs. CTSH: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAPPCTSH
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)57.4114.21
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)26.251.69
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)101.502.52
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)48.1815.17