Seek Returns logo

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

Updated on

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

Company Profile

APP is a standard domestic listing, while NTES trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

SymbolAPPNTES
Company NameAppLovin CorporationNetEase, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesChina
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyCommunication Services
GICS IndustrySoftwareEntertainment
Market Capitalization230.94 billion USD96.75 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNasdaqGS
Listing DateApril 15, 2021June 30, 2000
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of APP and NTES 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. NTES: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAPPNTES
5-Day Price Return-4.16%0.14%
13-Week Price Return99.85%14.09%
26-Week Price Return157.67%47.27%
52-Week Price Return419.76%45.38%
Month-to-Date Return-4.98%-0.28%
Year-to-Date Return110.84%69.90%
10-Day Avg. Volume7.08M0.65M
3-Month Avg. Volume6.83M0.79M
3-Month Volatility53.12%29.42%
Beta2.580.69

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.

NTES

24.25%

Entertainment Industry

Max
42.50%
Q3
24.06%
Median
13.69%
Q1
5.35%
Min
-17.95%

In the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry, NTES’s Return on Equity of 24.25% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

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

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.

NTES

31.19%

Entertainment Industry

Max
45.33%
Q3
24.40%
Median
13.94%
Q1
4.28%
Min
-23.67%

A Net Profit Margin of 31.19% places NTES in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

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.

NTES

31.43%

Entertainment Industry

Max
41.77%
Q3
28.26%
Median
16.13%
Q1
8.03%
Min
-3.93%

An Operating Profit Margin of 31.43% places NTES in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAPPNTES
Return on Equity (TTM)257.74%24.25%
Return on Assets (TTM)42.29%17.31%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)45.72%31.19%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)52.02%31.43%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)80.87%63.17%

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.

NTES

3.23

Entertainment Industry

Max
6.76
Q3
4.02
Median
1.55
Q1
0.86
Min
0.38

NTES’s Current Ratio of 3.23 aligns with the median group of the Entertainment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

APP vs. NTES: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

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.

NTES

0.08

Entertainment Industry

Max
1.54
Q3
0.77
Median
0.16
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00

NTES’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 is typical for the Entertainment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

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.

NTES

161.13

Entertainment Industry

Max
87.17
Q3
35.59
Median
7.06
Q1
1.13
Min
-44.74

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 161.13, NTES demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Entertainment industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAPPNTES
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.743.23
Quick Ratio (MRQ)2.543.10
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)3.010.08
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)6.44161.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

APP vs. NTES: 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. NTES: 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
0.22%
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.

NTES

1.87%

Entertainment Industry

Max
2.90%
Q3
1.29%
Median
0.59%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 1.87%, NTES offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Entertainment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

APP vs. NTES: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

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.

NTES

36.90%

Entertainment Industry

Max
82.30%
Q3
38.45%
Median
29.74%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NTES’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.90% is within the typical range for the Entertainment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAPPNTES
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%1.87%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%36.90%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

APP

95.06

Software Industry

Max
145.74
Q3
94.88
Median
45.35
Q1
26.66
Min
8.80

A P/E Ratio of 95.06 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.

NTES

19.73

Entertainment Industry

Max
92.09
Q3
54.51
Median
28.92
Q1
19.75
Min
2.96

In the lower quartile for the Entertainment industry, NTES’s P/E Ratio of 19.73 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

APP

43.46

Software Industry

Max
25.67
Q3
13.68
Median
8.28
Q1
4.95
Min
0.90

With a P/S Ratio of 43.46, 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.

NTES

6.15

Entertainment Industry

Max
12.34
Q3
7.67
Median
5.06
Q1
2.72
Min
0.67

NTES’s P/S Ratio of 6.15 aligns with the market consensus for the Entertainment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

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

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.

NTES

4.06

Entertainment Industry

Max
22.84
Q3
10.54
Median
6.60
Q1
2.30
Min
0.65

NTES’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 is within the conventional range for the Entertainment 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. NTES: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAPPNTES
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)95.0619.73
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)43.466.15
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)101.504.06
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)79.7715.25