ARM vs. FOUR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARM and FOUR, 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 FOUR’s 9.04 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
ARM’s beta of 4.10 points to significantly higher volatility compared to FOUR (beta: 1.82), 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, FOUR is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARM | FOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arm Holdings plc American Depositary Shares | Shift4 Payments, Inc. |
| Country | GB | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Software - Infrastructure |
| CEO | Rene Anthony Andrada Haas | Jared Isaacman |
| Price | 155.09 USD | 101.8 USD |
| Market Cap | 163.93 billion USD | 9.04 billion USD |
| Beta | 4.10 | 1.82 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | September 14, 2023 | June 5, 2020 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARM and FOUR 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.
FOUR
27.95%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
FOUR’s Return on Equity of 27.95% is on par with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
FOUR
-82.03%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
FOUR has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -82.03%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
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.
FOUR
6.29%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
FOUR’s Net Profit Margin of 6.29% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
FOUR
7.23%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
FOUR’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.23% is around the midpoint for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | FOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.71% | 27.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.87% | 4.36% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.37% | -82.03% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.77% | 6.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.74% | 7.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 95.83% | 27.07% |
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.
FOUR
1.36
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
FOUR’s Current Ratio of 1.36 aligns with the median group of the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
FOUR
3.58
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.58, FOUR operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Software - Infrastructure industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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.
FOUR
3.05
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
FOUR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.05 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | FOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 1.36 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 1.36 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.05 | 3.58 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 0.58 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -2.31 | -4.69 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 3.05 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARM and FOUR. 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.
FOUR
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FOUR 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
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.
FOUR
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FOUR 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 | ARM | FOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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.
FOUR
31.56
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
FOUR’s P/E Ratio of 31.56 is within the middle range for the Software - Infrastructure 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.
FOUR
1.96
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
FOUR’s Forward PEG Ratio of 1.96 is within the middle range of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure 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.
FOUR
3.43
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
FOUR’s P/S Ratio of 3.43 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.
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.
FOUR
8.56
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | FOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 206.59 | 31.56 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 7.75 | 1.96 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 40.91 | 3.43 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 23.92 | 8.56 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 1011.91 | 25.19 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 216.85 | -37.24 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 40.48 | 3.92 |