ARM vs. MSFT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARM and MSFT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
MSFT’s market capitalization of 3,707.65 billion USD is significantly greater than ARM’s 163.93 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
ARM’s beta of 4.10 points to significantly higher volatility compared to MSFT (beta: 1.03), 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, MSFT is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arm Holdings plc American Depositary Shares | Microsoft Corporation |
| Country | GB | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Software - Infrastructure |
| CEO | Rene Anthony Andrada Haas | Satya Nadella |
| Price | 155.09 USD | 498.84 USD |
| Market Cap | 163.93 billion USD | 3,707.65 billion USD |
| Beta | 4.10 | 1.03 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | September 14, 2023 | March 13, 1986 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARM and MSFT 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.
MSFT
32.74%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
In the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry, MSFT’s Return on Equity of 32.74% 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.
MSFT
22.11%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
In the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry, MSFT’s Return on Invested Capital of 22.11% 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.
MSFT
35.79%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
A Net Profit Margin of 35.79% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure 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.
MSFT
45.23%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
An Operating Profit Margin of 45.23% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure 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 | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.71% | 32.74% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.87% | 17.18% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.37% | 22.11% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.77% | 35.79% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.74% | 45.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 95.83% | 69.07% |
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.
MSFT
1.37
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
MSFT’s Current Ratio of 1.37 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.
MSFT
0.19
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
MSFT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19 is typical for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
MSFT
49.43
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 49.43, MSFT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 1.37 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 1.36 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.05 | 0.19 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 0.11 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -2.31 | 0.21 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 49.43 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARM and MSFT. 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.
MSFT
0.65%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.65%, MSFT offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure 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.
MSFT
24.30%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 24.30% is in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure 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 | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.65% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 24.30% |
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.
MSFT
38.38
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
MSFT’s P/E Ratio of 38.38 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.
MSFT
2.18
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
MSFT’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.18 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.
MSFT
13.73
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
MSFT’s P/S Ratio of 13.73 is in the upper echelon for the Software - Infrastructure 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.
MSFT
11.52
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 | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 206.59 | 38.38 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 7.75 | 2.18 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 40.91 | 13.73 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 23.92 | 11.52 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 1011.91 | 53.45 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 216.85 | 24.92 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 40.48 | 13.85 |