APPN vs. AXON: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at APPN and AXON, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AXON’s market capitalization of 61.93 billion USD is significantly greater than APPN’s 2.26 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 1.76 for APPN and 1.28 for AXON, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | APPN | AXON |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Appian Corporation | Axon Enterprise, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Industrials |
| Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Aerospace & Defense |
| CEO | Matthew W. Calkins | Patrick W. Smith |
| Price | 30.48 USD | 795.48 USD |
| Market Cap | 2.26 billion USD | 61.93 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.76 | 1.28 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | May 25, 2017 | June 19, 2001 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of APPN and AXON 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
APPN
151.44%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
APPN’s Return on Equity of 151.44% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
AXON
14.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
AXON’s Return on Equity of 14.86% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
APPN
-12.87%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
APPN has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -12.87%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
AXON
0.68%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
AXON’s Return on Invested Capital of 0.68% is in line with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
APPN
-9.55%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
APPN has a negative Net Profit Margin of -9.55%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
AXON
14.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.86% places AXON in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
APPN
-5.57%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
APPN has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5.57%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
AXON
1.50%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
AXON’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.50% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | APPN | AXON |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 151.44% | 14.86% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -10.21% | 5.44% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -12.87% | 0.68% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -9.55% | 14.86% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -5.57% | 1.50% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 75.84% | 60.44% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
APPN
1.25
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
APPN’s Current Ratio of 1.25 aligns with the median group of the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
AXON
2.83
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
AXON’s Current Ratio of 2.83 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
APPN
-9.84
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
APPN has a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of -9.84, which indicates negative shareholder equity where liabilities exceed assets. This is a critical sign of financial distress.
AXON
0.80
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
AXON’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
APPN
-1.52
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
APPN has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.52. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
AXON
2.53
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
AXON’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.53 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | APPN | AXON |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.25 | 2.83 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.25 | 2.62 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | -9.84 | 0.80 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.53 | 0.34 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -4.62 | 4.16 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -1.52 | 2.53 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for APPN and AXON. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
APPN
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
APPN 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.
AXON
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXON 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
APPN
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
APPN 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.
AXON
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXON 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 | APPN | AXON |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
APPN
-37.32
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
APPN has a negative P/E Ratio of -37.32. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
AXON
184.79
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
At 184.79, AXON’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
APPN
-0.60
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
APPN has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -0.60. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
AXON
8.54
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
A Forward PEG Ratio of 8.54 places AXON in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense 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
APPN
3.57
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
APPN’s P/S Ratio of 3.57 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.
AXON
27.81
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
With a P/S Ratio of 27.81, AXON trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
APPN
-71.14
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.
AXON
23.93
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
At 23.93, AXON’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | APPN | AXON |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -37.32 | 184.79 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | -0.60 | 8.54 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 3.57 | 27.81 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | -71.14 | 23.93 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 73.63 | 170.80 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -63.58 | 274.06 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.85 | 28.23 |