ARM vs. BSY: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARM and BSY, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ARM’s market capitalization of 163.93 billion USD is substantially larger than BSY’s 16.15 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
ARM’s beta of 4.10 points to significantly higher volatility compared to BSY (beta: 1.07), suggesting ARM has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
ARM trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, BSY is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARM | BSY |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arm Holdings plc American Depositary Shares | Bentley Systems, Incorporated |
| Country | GB | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Software - Application |
| CEO | Rene Anthony Andrada Haas | Nicholas H. Cumins |
| Price | 155.09 USD | 55.345 USD |
| Market Cap | 163.93 billion USD | 16.15 billion USD |
| Beta | 4.10 | 1.07 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | September 14, 2023 | September 23, 2020 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARM and BSY 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
ARM
12.71%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
ARM’s Return on Equity of 12.71% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
BSY
24.63%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 17.85%
- Median
- 4.73%
- Q1
- -10.56%
- Min
- -52.94%
In the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, BSY’s Return on Equity of 24.63% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ARM
11.37%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ARM’s Return on Invested Capital of 11.37% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
BSY
10.64%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 35.07%
- Q3
- 9.72%
- Median
- 0.76%
- Q1
- -8.68%
- Min
- -34.12%
In the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, BSY’s Return on Invested Capital of 10.64% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ARM
19.77%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
A Net Profit Margin of 19.77% places ARM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
BSY
18.46%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 16.07%
- Median
- 1.83%
- Q1
- -9.60%
- Min
- -45.64%
A Net Profit Margin of 18.46% places BSY in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
ARM
20.74%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
ARM’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.74% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
BSY
23.56%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 51.67%
- Q3
- 15.35%
- Median
- 1.79%
- Q1
- -12.42%
- Min
- -45.17%
An Operating Profit Margin of 23.56% places BSY in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | BSY |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.71% | 24.63% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.87% | 7.52% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.37% | 10.64% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.77% | 18.46% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.74% | 23.56% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 95.83% | 80.60% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ARM
5.20
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
ARM’s Current Ratio of 5.20 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
BSY
0.49
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 5.09
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.70
- Q1
- 1.12
- Min
- 0.04
BSY’s Current Ratio of 0.49 falls into the lower quartile for the Software - Application industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ARM
0.05
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
ARM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.05 is typical for the Semiconductors industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
BSY
1.17
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 1.85
- Q3
- 0.77
- Median
- 0.18
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
BSY’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Software - Application industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.17. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ARM
--
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ARM is currently unavailable.
BSY
16.36
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 39.23
- Q3
- 8.55
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- -14.59
- Min
- -39.97
BSY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 16.36 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | BSY |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 0.49 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 0.49 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.05 | 1.17 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 0.38 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -2.31 | 2.99 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 16.36 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARM and BSY. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ARM
0.00%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARM 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.
BSY
0.47%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 3.66%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.47%, BSY offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Software - Application industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ARM
0.00%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARM 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.
BSY
29.49%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 81.09%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BSY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.49% is in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | BSY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.47% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 29.49% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ARM
206.59
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
At 206.59, ARM’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
BSY
68.17
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 194.31
- Q3
- 98.56
- Median
- 51.87
- Q1
- 22.76
- Min
- 1.02
BSY’s P/E Ratio of 68.17 is within the middle range for the Software - Application industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ARM
7.75
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 4.73
- Q3
- 2.80
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.01
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Semiconductors industry.
BSY
4.96
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 15.44
- Q3
- 6.57
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.00
BSY’s Forward PEG Ratio of 4.96 is within the middle range of its peers in the Software - Application industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ARM
40.91
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
With a P/S Ratio of 40.91, ARM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Semiconductors industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
BSY
11.65
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 23.49
- Q3
- 11.14
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 2.84
- Min
- 0.33
BSY’s P/S Ratio of 11.65 is in the upper echelon for the Software - Application industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ARM
23.92
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
At 23.92, ARM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Semiconductors 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.
BSY
15.89
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 21.03
- Q3
- 10.49
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- 2.89
- Min
- 0.12
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Application industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | BSY |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 206.59 | 68.17 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 7.75 | 4.96 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 40.91 | 11.65 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 23.92 | 15.89 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 1011.91 | 37.03 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 216.85 | 43.24 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 40.48 | 12.52 |