ASML vs. WDC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASML and WDC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ASML’s market capitalization of 312.40 billion USD is substantially larger than WDC’s 23.05 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 1.22 for ASML and 1.54 for WDC, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
ASML trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, WDC is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ASML | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ASML Holding N.V. | Western Digital Corporation |
| Country | NL | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Computer Hardware |
| CEO | Christophe D. Fouquet | Tiang Yew Tan |
| Price | 794.5 USD | 66.08 USD |
| Market Cap | 312.40 billion USD | 23.05 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.22 | 1.54 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | March 15, 1995 | October 31, 1978 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASML and WDC 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
ASML
52.08%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
ASML’s Return on Equity of 52.08% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Semiconductors industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
WDC
16.28%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 123.03%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- -13.44%
- Q1
- -119.16%
- Min
- -227.95%
In the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, WDC’s Return on Equity of 16.28% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ASML
30.91%
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, ASML’s Return on Invested Capital of 30.91% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
WDC
23.19%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 30.37%
- Q3
- 20.44%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- -12.47%
- Min
- -31.70%
In the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, WDC’s Return on Invested Capital of 23.19% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ASML
28.33%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
A Net Profit Margin of 28.33% places ASML in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
WDC
11.34%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 40.72%
- Q3
- 10.87%
- Median
- 4.33%
- Q1
- -378.64%
- Min
- -753.20%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.34% places WDC in the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
ASML
33.76%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
An Operating Profit Margin of 33.76% places ASML in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
WDC
17.80%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 42.27%
- Q3
- 13.53%
- Median
- 4.56%
- Q1
- -295.01%
- Min
- -592.84%
An Operating Profit Margin of 17.80% places WDC in the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware 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 | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 52.08% | 16.28% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 19.14% | 10.00% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 30.91% | 23.19% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.33% | 11.34% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.76% | 17.80% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.01% | 36.93% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASML
1.52
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
ASML’s Current Ratio of 1.52 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
WDC
1.56
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 20.73
- Q3
- 11.54
- Median
- 2.69
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.73
WDC’s Current Ratio of 1.56 aligns with the median group of the Computer Hardware industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASML
0.21
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
ASML’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 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.
WDC
1.36
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 1.36
- Q3
- 0.67
- Median
- 0.04
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
WDC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Computer Hardware industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.36. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ASML
--
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ASML is currently unavailable.
WDC
8.65
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 32.50
- Q3
- 21.85
- Median
- 4.98
- Q1
- -7.71
- Min
- -34.24
WDC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.65 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Computer Hardware industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASML | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.52 | 1.56 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.91 | 1.31 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.21 | 1.36 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.08 | 0.45 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -0.47 | 1.32 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 8.65 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASML and WDC. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASML
0.85%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASML’s Dividend Yield of 0.85% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WDC
0.15%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 9.24%
- Q3
- 1.58%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC’s Dividend Yield of 0.15% is consistent with its peers in the Computer Hardware industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASML
28.49%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASML’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.49% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WDC
0.00%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 193.79%
- Q3
- 30.72%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC 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 | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.85% | 0.15% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.49% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASML
29.72
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
ASML’s P/E Ratio of 29.72 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
WDC
13.97
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 24.60
- Q3
- 24.01
- Median
- 20.31
- Q1
- 18.24
- Min
- 13.38
In the lower quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, WDC’s P/E Ratio of 13.97 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ASML
1.90
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.
WDC
25.87
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 9.77
- Q3
- 5.18
- Median
- 1.77
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.02
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Computer Hardware industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASML
8.44
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
ASML’s P/S Ratio of 8.44 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
WDC
1.60
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 57.61
- Q3
- 47.40
- Median
- 3.37
- Q1
- 1.56
- Min
- 0.43
WDC’s P/S Ratio of 1.60 aligns with the market consensus for the Computer Hardware industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ASML
14.78
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
At 14.78, ASML’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.
WDC
4.23
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 21.21
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 9.28
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- 0.43
WDC’s P/B Ratio of 4.23 is within the conventional range for the Computer Hardware industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASML | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 29.72 | 13.97 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 1.90 | 25.87 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 8.44 | 1.60 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 14.78 | 4.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 27.93 | 27.00 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 22.09 | 9.21 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 8.27 | 1.86 |