ARM vs. NOW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARM and NOW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
ARM trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, NOW is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arm Holdings plc | ServiceNow, Inc. |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 151.29 billion USD | 175.77 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 14, 2023 | June 29, 2012 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARM and NOW 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -9.73% | -1.83% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.62% | -1.94% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 10.33% | -17.97% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 3.46% | -18.66% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -17.70% | -7.49% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 13.30% | -19.78% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.62M | 1.57M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.93M | 1.57M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 52.77% | 27.00% |
| Beta | 2.60 | 0.98 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ARM
12.00%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 49.05%
- Q3
- 22.19%
- Median
- 7.96%
- Q1
- 0.99%
- Min
- -15.65%
ARM’s Return on Equity of 12.00% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
NOW
16.49%
Software Industry
- Max
- 65.88%
- Q3
- 22.54%
- Median
- 10.46%
- Q1
- -6.54%
- Min
- -41.05%
NOW’s Return on Equity of 16.49% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ARM
18.81%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 24.47%
- Median
- 11.88%
- Q1
- 0.60%
- Min
- -25.46%
ARM’s Net Profit Margin of 18.81% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
NOW
13.67%
Software Industry
- Max
- 53.50%
- Q3
- 20.30%
- Median
- 9.60%
- Q1
- -4.98%
- Min
- -41.00%
NOW’s Net Profit Margin of 13.67% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ARM
19.54%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.76%
- Median
- 12.14%
- Q1
- 3.29%
- Min
- -32.60%
ARM’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.54% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
NOW
13.85%
Software Industry
- Max
- 61.99%
- Q3
- 23.67%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- -3.57%
- Min
- -40.19%
NOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.85% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.00% | 16.49% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.09% | 8.13% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.81% | 13.67% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.54% | 13.85% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 97.39% | 78.05% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ARM
5.59
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.57
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 1.02
ARM’s Current Ratio of 5.59 is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
NOW
1.06
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.01
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.50
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
NOW’s Current Ratio of 1.06 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ARM
0.00
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.18
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.24
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, ARM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
NOW
0.13
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.04
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
NOW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.13 is typical for the Software 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 (TTM)
ARM
6.95
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.21
- Median
- 22.37
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
ARM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.95 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NOW
32.13
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 33.82
- Median
- 1.59
- Q1
- -10.48
- Min
- -71.23
NOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.13 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 5.59 | 1.06 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 5.34 | 0.96 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.00 | 0.13 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.95 | 32.13 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ARM
0.00%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.58%
- Q3
- 1.59%
- Median
- 0.61%
- 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.
NOW
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.34%
- Q3
- 0.17%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NOW 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 (TTM)
ARM
0.00%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 211.90%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 25.84%
- 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.
NOW
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 6.56%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NOW 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 | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ARM
178.67
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 95.58
- Q3
- 58.67
- Median
- 34.77
- Q1
- 25.45
- Min
- 12.63
At 178.67, ARM’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
NOW
102.19
Software Industry
- Max
- 142.78
- Q3
- 72.24
- Median
- 36.21
- Q1
- 24.24
- Min
- 4.55
A P/E Ratio of 102.19 places NOW in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ARM
33.61
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 18.34
- Q3
- 10.38
- Median
- 5.38
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.32
With a P/S Ratio of 33.61, ARM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
NOW
13.96
Software Industry
- Max
- 20.79
- Q3
- 12.71
- Median
- 6.75
- Q1
- 4.56
- Min
- 0.87
NOW’s P/S Ratio of 13.96 is in the upper echelon for the Software 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 (MRQ)
ARM
20.23
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.22
- Q3
- 8.33
- Median
- 4.39
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.30
At 20.23, ARM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
NOW
16.94
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.49
- Q3
- 14.84
- Median
- 8.09
- Q1
- 4.32
- Min
- 0.38
NOW’s P/B Ratio of 16.94 is in the upper tier for the Software industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 178.67 | 102.19 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 33.61 | 13.96 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 20.23 | 16.94 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 130.31 | 45.30 |