APP vs. GS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at APP and GS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | APP | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AppLovin Corporation | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Software | Capital Markets |
| Market Capitalization | 222.02 billion USD | 242.94 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 15, 2021 | May 4, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of APP and GS 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 | APP | GS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 11.94% | -1.16% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 105.25% | 11.19% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 119.32% | 40.54% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 462.46% | 58.65% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 50.14% | -1.36% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 121.89% | 37.18% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 14.57M | 1.77M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.85M | 1.94M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 53.56% | 20.72% |
| Beta | 2.57 | 1.38 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
APP
257.74%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
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.
GS
12.67%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 38.97%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 13.52%
- Q1
- 8.61%
- Min
- -4.25%
GS’s Return on Equity of 12.67% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
APP
45.72%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
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.
GS
12.29%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 69.91%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 24.30%
- Q1
- 13.06%
- Min
- -15.18%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, GS’s Net Profit Margin of 12.29% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
APP
52.02%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
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.
GS
15.68%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 84.86%
- Q3
- 47.16%
- Median
- 32.23%
- Q1
- 18.65%
- Min
- -21.87%
GS’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.68% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 257.74% | 12.67% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 42.29% | 0.89% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.72% | 12.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.02% | 15.68% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 80.87% | 38.58% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
APP
2.74
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
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.
GS
0.30
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.56
- Min
- 0.04
For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
APP
3.01
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- 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.
GS
9.08
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
APP
6.44
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
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.
GS
--
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 107.59
- Q3
- 48.41
- Median
- 10.85
- Q1
- 4.56
- Min
- -36.26
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.74 | 0.30 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.54 | 0.30 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.01 | 9.08 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.44 | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
APP
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- 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.
GS
1.94%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 9.02%
- Q3
- 4.54%
- Median
- 2.55%
- Q1
- 1.27%
- Min
- 0.00%
GS’s Dividend Yield of 1.94% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
APP
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- 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.
GS
29.94%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 199.38%
- Q3
- 99.28%
- Median
- 60.67%
- Q1
- 32.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.94% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.94% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 29.94% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
APP
98.02
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
A P/E Ratio of 98.02 places APP in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
GS
15.41
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 51.69
- Q3
- 29.42
- Median
- 17.58
- Q1
- 12.55
- Min
- 5.59
GS’s P/E Ratio of 15.41 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
APP
44.82
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
With a P/S Ratio of 44.82, 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.
GS
1.89
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 14.65
- Q3
- 7.29
- Median
- 4.53
- Q1
- 2.26
- Min
- 0.04
In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, GS’s P/S Ratio of 1.89 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
APP
101.50
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- 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.
GS
1.75
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 10.83
- Q3
- 5.12
- Median
- 2.66
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.37
GS’s P/B Ratio of 1.75 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 98.02 | 15.41 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 44.82 | 1.89 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 101.50 | 1.75 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 82.26 | 4.67 |