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ASML vs. VRSN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated

Here’s a clear look at ASML and VRSN, comparing key factors like performance, valuation metrics, dividends, and financial strength. It’s built for investors or anyone curious to see how these two stocks match up.

Company Overview

ASML dominates in value with a market cap of 289.86 billion USD, eclipsing VRSN’s 26.39 billion USD by roughly 10.98×.

ASML’s beta of 1.22 points to much larger expected swings compared to VRSN’s calmer 0.80, suggesting both higher upside and downside potential.

ASML trades as an ADR, giving U.S. investors a simple on-ramp to its foreign shares, while VRSN remains a standard domestic listing.

SymbolASMLVRSN
Company NameASML Holding N.V.VeriSign, Inc.
CountryNLUS
SectorTechnologyTechnology
IndustrySemiconductorsSoftware - Infrastructure
CEOMr. Christophe D. FouquetMr. D. James Bidzos
Price737.17 USD281.08 USD
Market Cap289.86 billion USD26.39 billion USD
Beta1.220.80
ExchangeNASDAQNASDAQ
IPO DateMarch 15, 1995January 30, 1998
ADRYesNo

Performance Comparison

This chart compares the performance of ASML and VRSN over the past year by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each (starting one year ago).

Hover over the lines to see the investment’s value and total return (%) at specific dates.

Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

Valuation Metrics Comparison

The section examines key financial ratios to assess the valuation of ASML and VRSN based on earnings, cash flow, sales, and book value. Pay attention to the following notable points where extreme values stand out.

  • VRSN shows a negative forward PEG of -0.34, signaling expected earnings contraction, while ASML at 1.80 maintains analysts’ projections for stable or improved profits.
  • VRSN carries a sub-zero price-to-book ratio of -18.93, indicating negative equity. In contrast, ASML (P/B 14.61) has positive book value.
SymbolASMLVRSN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM)29.3833.62
Forward PEG Ratio (TTM)1.80-0.34
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM)8.3416.75
Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM)14.61-18.93
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM)27.6029.12
EV-to-EBITDA (TTM)21.8224.24
EV-to-Sales (TTM)8.1717.53
EV-to-Free Cash Flow (TTM)27.0230.46

Dividend Comparison

ASML’s dividend yield of 0.98% is about 258% higher than VRSN’s 0.27%, underscoring its stronger focus on returning cash to shareholders.

SymbolASMLVRSN
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.98%0.27%

Financial Strength Metrics Comparison

This section dives into the financial resilience of ASML and VRSN, spotlighting key metrics like liquidity, leverage, and debt coverage. Check out the standout observations below where notable differences or extremes pop up.

  • VRSN’s current ratio of 0.56 indicates its assets may not cover near-term debts, whereas ASML at 1.52 maintains healthy liquidity.
  • VRSN posts a quick ratio of 0.56, indicating limited coverage of short-term debts from its most liquid assets—while ASML at 0.91 enjoys stronger liquidity resilience.
  • VRSN has negative equity (debt-to-equity ratio -1.28), suggesting asset shortfalls, whereas ASML at 0.21 preserves healthier equity coverage.
  • VRSN carries a debt-to-assets ratio of 1.24, suggesting substantial asset funding via debt, while ASML at 0.08 opts for a more conservative financing structure.
  • ASML shows “--” for interest coverage, hinting at negligible interest costs, whereas VRSN (at 13.94) covers its interest obligations.
SymbolASMLVRSN
Current Ratio (TTM)1.520.56
Quick Ratio (TTM)0.910.56
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM)0.21-1.28
Debt-to-Assets Ratio (TTM)0.081.24
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)--13.94