ASGN vs. GDS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASGN and GDS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
GDS’s market capitalization of 140.20 billion USD is significantly greater than ASGN’s 2.31 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
ASGN’s beta of 1.00 points to significantly higher volatility compared to GDS (beta: 0.23), suggesting ASGN has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
GDS is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), allowing U.S. investors direct exposure to its non-U.S. operations. ASGN, on the other hand, is a domestic entity.
| Symbol | ASGN | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ASGN Incorporated | GDS Holdings Limited |
| Country | US | CN |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Information Technology Services | Information Technology Services |
| CEO | Theodore S. Hanson CPA | Wei Huang |
| Price | 52.84 USD | 33.98 USD |
| Market Cap | 2.31 billion USD | 140.20 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.23 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | September 22, 1992 | November 2, 2016 |
| ADR | No | Yes |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASGN and GDS 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
ASGN
8.84%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 23.27%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -26.63%
ASGN’s Return on Equity of 8.84% is on par with the norm for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
GDS
16.65%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 23.27%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -26.63%
GDS’s Return on Equity of 16.65% is on par with the norm for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
ASGN
6.10%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 28.29%
- Q3
- 13.19%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- -18.82%
ASGN’s Return on Invested Capital of 6.10% is in line with the norm for the Information Technology Services industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
GDS
1.92%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 28.29%
- Q3
- 13.19%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- -18.82%
GDS’s Return on Invested Capital of 1.92% is in line with the norm for the Information Technology Services industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
ASGN
3.93%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 20.47%
- Q3
- 11.62%
- Median
- 5.97%
- Q1
- 1.89%
- Min
- -4.62%
ASGN’s Net Profit Margin of 3.93% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Information Technology Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
GDS
30.83%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 20.47%
- Q3
- 11.62%
- Median
- 5.97%
- Q1
- 1.89%
- Min
- -4.62%
GDS’s Net Profit Margin of 30.83% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Information Technology Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin
ASGN
6.97%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 29.42%
- Q3
- 14.75%
- Median
- 8.92%
- Q1
- 2.62%
- Min
- -11.92%
ASGN’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.97% is around the midpoint for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GDS
10.23%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 29.42%
- Q3
- 14.75%
- Median
- 8.92%
- Q1
- 2.62%
- Min
- -11.92%
GDS’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.23% is around the midpoint for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASGN | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 8.84% | 16.65% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.27% | 4.65% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 6.10% | 1.92% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.93% | 30.83% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.97% | 10.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.56% | 22.02% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASGN
2.37
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 3.41
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.58
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.00
ASGN’s Current Ratio of 2.37 is in the upper quartile for the Information Technology Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
GDS
1.28
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 3.41
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.58
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s Current Ratio of 1.28 aligns with the median group of the Information Technology Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASGN
0.75
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.01
ASGN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.75 is typical for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
GDS
1.89
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.01
GDS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Information Technology Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.89. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ASGN
6.00
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 17.52
- Q3
- 10.04
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- -10.50
ASGN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.00 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
GDS
0.74
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 17.52
- Q3
- 10.04
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- -10.50
GDS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.74 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASGN | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.37 | 1.28 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 2.37 | 1.28 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.75 | 1.89 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.36 | 0.60 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 3.29 | 7.92 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.00 | 0.74 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASGN and GDS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASGN
0.00%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 16.57%
- Q3
- 1.39%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASGN 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.
GDS
0.00%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 16.57%
- Q3
- 1.39%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GDS 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
ASGN
0.00%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 112.81%
- Q3
- 20.98%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASGN 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.
GDS
0.00%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 112.81%
- Q3
- 20.98%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GDS 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 | ASGN | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASGN
14.61
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 49.12
- Q3
- 36.91
- Median
- 24.84
- Q1
- 15.88
- Min
- 1.55
In the lower quartile for the Information Technology Services industry, ASGN’s P/E Ratio of 14.61 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
GDS
35.44
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 49.12
- Q3
- 36.91
- Median
- 24.84
- Q1
- 15.88
- Min
- 1.55
GDS’s P/E Ratio of 35.44 is within the middle range for the Information Technology Services 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
ASGN
0.64
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.03
In the lower quartile for the Information Technology Services industry, ASGN’s Forward PEG Ratio of 0.64 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
GDS
28.19
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.03
GDS’s Forward PEG Ratio of 28.19 is exceptionally high for the Information Technology Services industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASGN
0.58
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 8.15
- Q3
- 4.17
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.10
In the lower quartile for the Information Technology Services industry, ASGN’s P/S Ratio of 0.58 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
GDS
4.26
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 8.15
- Q3
- 4.17
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.10
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 4.26 is in the upper echelon for the Information Technology Services 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
ASGN
1.29
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 11.78
- Q3
- 6.14
- Median
- 3.23
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.42
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Information Technology Services industry.
GDS
5.16
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 11.78
- Q3
- 6.14
- Median
- 3.23
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.42
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Information Technology Services industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASGN | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 14.61 | 35.44 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 0.64 | 28.19 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 0.58 | 4.26 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 1.29 | 5.16 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 6.95 | -9.58 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 9.42 | 18.16 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 0.88 | 7.55 |