APP vs. PS: AppLovin vs. Pershing Square Stock Comparison
How do AppLovin (APP) and Pershing Square (PS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
AppLovin (APP) and Pershing Square (PS) are both classified in the Application Software sub-industry within the broader Software industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
AppLovin (APP) has traded publicly since April 15, 2021, giving it several years of listed trading history, while Pershing Square (PS) only listed on April 29, 2026 and has a limited public-market record.
| Profile Item | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | AppLovin Corporation Class A Common Stock | Pluralsight Inc |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Software & Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | Software | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Application Software | Application Software |
| Market Capitalization | 129.62 billion USD | 20.58 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | April 15, 2021 | April 29, 2026 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -34.71% | -- |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 116.87% | -- |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 31.34% | -- |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 80.36% | 100.16% |
| Beta (5Y) | 2.25 | 6.25 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -91.90% | -43.14% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 5.33M | 428.47K |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Both APP and PS need 1-year volatility and 1-year return to plot risk-return positioning.
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.49 | -- |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.69 | -- |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Capital efficiency shows on one side only: AppLovin (APP) earns 210.09% on shareholders’ equity, ranked against its industry; Pershing Square (PS) has no ROE this period.
APP
Software & Services industry group
210.09%
- APP
- 210.09%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
PS
Software & Services industry group
--
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
- PS
- --
Net Margin (TTM)
Pershing Square (PS) reports a negative net margin of -20.98%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile AppLovin (APP) reports 65.89%, ranking against industry peers normally.
APP
Software & Services industry group
65.89%
- APP
- 65.89%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
PS
Software & Services industry group
-20.98%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- PS
- -20.98%
- Min
- -33.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Pershing Square (PS) reports a negative operating margin of -35.45%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile AppLovin (APP) reports 78.22%, ranking against industry peers normally.
APP
Software & Services industry group
78.22%
- APP
- 78.22%
- Max
- 46.89%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
PS
Software & Services industry group
-35.45%
- Max
- 46.89%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
- PS
- -35.45%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 210.09% | -- |
| ROA (TTM) | 49.57% | -- |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 65.89% | -20.98% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 78.22% | -35.45% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 88.78% | 24.74% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both AppLovin (APP) at 69.99% and Pershing Square (PS) at 64.66% are expanding revenue faster than their entire industry benchmark ranges for revenue growth — exceptional top-line momentum on both sides, though growth that far above the peer range is worth checking for one-off boosts such as acquisitions.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: AppLovin (APP) reports EPS growth of 115.23%, ranked against its industry; Pershing Square (PS) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 69.99% | 64.66% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 24.84% | -- |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 115.23% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Short-term liquidity can only be read on one side of this pairing: AppLovin (APP) shows current ratio of 3.81 against its industry benchmark, while Pershing Square (PS) has no reading this period.
APP
Software & Services industry group
3.81
- Max
- 5.11
- APP
- 3.81
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
PS
Software & Services industry group
--
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
- PS
- --
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both AppLovin (APP) at 1.07 and Pershing Square (PS) at 0.18 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.
APP
Software & Services industry group
1.07
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- APP
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.00
PS
Software & Services industry group
0.18
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- PS
- 0.18
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.81 | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.07 | 0.18 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.06 | 4.35 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AppLovin (APP) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Pershing Square (PS) reports a yield of 0.24%, ranking against industry peers normally.
APP
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- APP
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PS
Software & Services industry group
0.24%
- PS
- 0.24%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Pershing Square (PS) reports a negative payout ratio of -10.99%, usually because earnings are negative; AppLovin (APP) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).
APP
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- APP
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PS
Software & Services industry group
-10.99%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
- PS
- -10.99%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.24% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | -10.99% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
An earnings multiple is available for just one side: AppLovin (APP) trades at 26.34 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Pershing Square (PS) has no P/E ratio this period.
APP
Software & Services industry group
26.34
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- APP
- 26.34
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
PS
Software & Services industry group
--
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
- PS
- --
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Both look expensive on sales: AppLovin (APP) at 17.04 sits in the upper P/S ratio quartile, and Pershing Square (PS) at 27.11 prices even higher, above its industry range.
APP
Software & Services industry group
17.04
- Max
- 17.91
- APP
- 17.04
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
PS
Software & Services industry group
27.11
- PS
- 27.11
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: Pershing Square (PS) at 15.12 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and AppLovin (APP) at 39.29 prices even higher, above its industry range.
APP
Software & Services industry group
39.29
- APP
- 39.29
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
PS
Software & Services industry group
15.12
- Max
- 16.63
- PS
- 15.12
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | APP | PS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 26.34 | -- |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 17.04 | 27.11 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 39.29 | 15.12 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.87% | -- |