ASX vs. GDS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASX and GDS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both ASX and GDS are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.
| Symbol | ASX | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. | GDS Holdings Limited |
| Country | Taiwan | China |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 31.43 billion USD | 5.75 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGM |
| Listing Date | October 2, 2000 | November 2, 2016 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASX 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 | ASX | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.63% | -9.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 50.34% | -9.85% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 56.69% | 7.99% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 34.82% | -19.97% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -10.10% | -13.70% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 37.35% | 29.30% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 25.89M | 5.28M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 19.61M | 10.11M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 46.13% | 59.37% |
| Beta | 1.46 | 2.45 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ASX
11.02%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 49.05%
- Q3
- 22.19%
- Median
- 7.96%
- Q1
- 0.99%
- Min
- -15.65%
ASX’s Return on Equity of 11.02% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
GDS
19.17%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 37.08%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 14.70%
- Q1
- 6.70%
- Min
- -8.16%
GDS’s Return on Equity of 19.17% is on par with the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ASX
5.61%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 24.47%
- Median
- 11.88%
- Q1
- 0.60%
- Min
- -25.46%
ASX’s Net Profit Margin of 5.61% 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.
GDS
42.87%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 17.01%
- Q3
- 11.02%
- Median
- 6.91%
- Q1
- 3.07%
- Min
- -5.13%
GDS’s Net Profit Margin of 42.87% 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)
ASX
6.99%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.76%
- Median
- 12.14%
- Q1
- 3.29%
- Min
- -32.60%
ASX’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.99% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GDS
22.44%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 15.32%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.58%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.44% 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 | ASX | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.02% | 19.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.56% | 6.08% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.61% | 42.87% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.99% | 22.44% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.85% | 21.45% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ASX
1.02
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.57
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 1.02
ASX’s Current Ratio of 1.02 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
2.00
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.49
GDS’s Current Ratio of 2.00 is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ASX
0.79
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.18
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.24
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
ASX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.79. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
GDS
1.82
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.30
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.82. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ASX
83.06
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.21
- Median
- 22.37
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
ASX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 83.06 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
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -28.15
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 | ASX | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 2.00 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 1.93 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 1.82 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 83.06 | 0.66 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ASX
2.37%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.58%
- Q3
- 1.59%
- Median
- 0.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.37%, ASX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
GDS
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 4.66%
- Q3
- 2.02%
- Median
- 0.66%
- 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)
ASX
211.90%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 211.90%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 25.84%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 211.90% is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
GDS
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 93.78%
- Q3
- 63.22%
- Median
- 24.64%
- 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 | ASX | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.37% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 211.90% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ASX
27.48
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 95.58
- Q3
- 58.67
- Median
- 34.77
- Q1
- 25.45
- Min
- 12.63
ASX’s P/E Ratio of 27.48 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
9.32
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 30.25
- Median
- 21.01
- Q1
- 16.50
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s P/E Ratio of 9.32 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ASX
1.54
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 18.34
- Q3
- 10.38
- Median
- 5.38
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.32
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, ASX’s P/S Ratio of 1.54 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
3.99
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 3.99 aligns with the market consensus for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ASX
2.23
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.22
- Q3
- 8.33
- Median
- 4.39
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.30
ASX’s P/B Ratio of 2.23 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
GDS
1.61
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.61 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 | ASX | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.48 | 9.32 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.54 | 3.99 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.23 | 1.61 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 106.62 | -- |