ASML vs. GDS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASML and GDS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both ASML and GDS offer U.S. investors access to foreign companies, with ASML trading as New York Registered Shares and GDS as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR).
| Symbol | ASML | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ASML Holding N.V. | GDS Holdings Limited |
| Country | Netherlands | China |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 296.82 billion USD | 6.76 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGM |
| Listing Date | March 15, 1995 | November 2, 2016 |
| Security Type | NY Reg Shrs | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASML 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ASML | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.17% | -4.28% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -1.19% | 11.79% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -9.94% | -4.13% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.16% | -19.97% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.40% | -11.83% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -4.79% | 37.28% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.41M | 10.23M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.66M | 8.68M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 34.94% | 62.39% |
| Beta | 1.69 | 1.54 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ASML
47.13%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.74%
- Q3
- 23.49%
- Median
- 11.60%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -20.69%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, ASML’s Return on Equity of 47.13% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
GDS
19.12%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 16.98%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 7.93%
- Min
- -3.97%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s Return on Equity of 19.12% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ASML
29.31%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.17%
- Q3
- 22.38%
- Median
- 11.95%
- Q1
- 3.21%
- Min
- -25.16%
A Net Profit Margin of 29.31% places ASML in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
GDS
41.75%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.82%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 3.61%
- Min
- -4.62%
GDS’s Net Profit Margin of 41.75% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the IT Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ASML
34.90%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 27.84%
- Median
- 12.45%
- Q1
- 5.15%
- Min
- -28.61%
An Operating Profit Margin of 34.90% places ASML in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
GDS
21.69%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 21.69%
- Q3
- 14.50%
- Median
- 10.06%
- Q1
- 6.98%
- Min
- 0.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.69% places GDS in the upper quartile for the IT Services 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 | ASML | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 47.13% | 19.12% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 19.27% | 5.88% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.31% | 41.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.90% | 21.69% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.58% | 21.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ASML
1.41
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.42
- Q3
- 4.70
- Median
- 2.75
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 1.04
ASML’s Current Ratio of 1.41 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
GDS
1.47
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.42
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.44
GDS’s Current Ratio of 1.47 aligns with the median group of the IT Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ASML
0.22
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.45
- Median
- 0.22
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
ASML’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.22 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
GDS
1.75
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.75. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ASML
164.15
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.10
- Median
- 27.22
- Q1
- 7.28
- Min
- -4.26
ASML’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 164.15 is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
GDS
0.66
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 144.50
- Q3
- 84.49
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 2.59
- Min
- -28.13
GDS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.66 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 | ASML | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 1.47 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 1.29 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.22 | 1.75 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 164.15 | 0.66 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ASML
1.01%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.16%
- Q3
- 1.78%
- Median
- 0.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASML’s Dividend Yield of 1.01% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
GDS
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.74%
- Median
- 0.62%
- 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 (TTM)
ASML
26.57%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 196.12%
- Q3
- 87.72%
- Median
- 26.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASML’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.57% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
GDS
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 147.75%
- Q3
- 63.58%
- Median
- 24.63%
- 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 | ASML | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.01% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 26.57% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ASML
26.41
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 109.37
- Q3
- 57.11
- Median
- 28.95
- Q1
- 22.13
- Min
- 11.14
ASML’s P/E Ratio of 26.41 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
GDS
10.47
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
In the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s P/E Ratio of 10.47 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ASML
7.74
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.09
- Q3
- 10.10
- Median
- 4.82
- Q1
- 2.60
- Min
- 0.93
ASML’s P/S Ratio of 7.74 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GDS
4.37
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 4.37 is in the upper echelon for the IT 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 (MRQ)
ASML
12.39
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 13.56
- Q3
- 6.75
- Median
- 3.68
- Q1
- 1.89
- Min
- 0.60
ASML’s P/B Ratio of 12.39 is in the upper tier for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
GDS
1.41
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.41 is in the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASML | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.41 | 10.47 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.74 | 4.37 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 12.39 | 1.41 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 26.67 | -- |