ASX vs. VRSN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASX and VRSN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ASX’s market capitalization stands at 22.53 billion USD, while VRSN’s is 26.89 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 0.92 for ASX and 0.77 for VRSN, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
ASX trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, VRSN is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ASX | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. | VeriSign, Inc. |
| Country | TW | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Software - Infrastructure |
| CEO | Hung-Pen Chang | D. James Bidzos |
| Price | 10.37 USD | 286.32 USD |
| Market Cap | 22.53 billion USD | 26.89 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.77 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | October 2, 2000 | January 30, 1998 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASX and VRSN 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
ASX
11.03%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
ASX’s Return on Equity of 11.03% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
VRSN
-50.93%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
VRSN has a negative Return on Equity of -50.93%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Return on Invested Capital
ASX
5.98%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
ASX’s Return on Invested Capital of 5.98% is in line with the norm for the Semiconductors industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
VRSN
495.47%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
VRSN’s Return on Invested Capital of 495.47% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This demonstrates an outstanding ability to deploy capital efficiently and create significant value.
Net Profit Margin
ASX
5.61%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
ASX’s Net Profit Margin of 5.61% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
VRSN
50.20%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
VRSN’s Net Profit Margin of 50.20% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin
ASX
7.01%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
ASX’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.01% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
VRSN
67.95%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
VRSN’s Operating Profit Margin of 67.95% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASX | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.03% | -50.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.43% | 54.63% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 5.98% | 495.47% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.61% | 50.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.01% | 67.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.32% | 87.83% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASX
1.04
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
ASX’s Current Ratio of 1.04 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.
VRSN
0.56
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
VRSN’s Current Ratio of 0.56 falls into the lower quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASX
0.72
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
ASX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Semiconductors industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
VRSN
-1.28
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
VRSN has a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of -1.28, which indicates negative shareholder equity where liabilities exceed assets. This is a critical sign of financial distress.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ASX
7.79
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
ASX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.79 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
VRSN
13.94
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
VRSN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.94 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASX | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.04 | 0.56 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.82 | 0.56 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.72 | -1.28 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.29 | 1.24 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.32 | 1.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.79 | 13.94 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASX and VRSN. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASX
3.60%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.60%, ASX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Semiconductors industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
VRSN
0.27%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.27%, VRSN offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASX
65.52%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.52% is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors 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.
VRSN
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VRSN 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 | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.60% | 0.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 65.52% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASX
18.57
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ASX’s P/E Ratio of 18.57 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
VRSN
34.25
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
VRSN’s P/E Ratio of 34.25 is within the middle range for the Software - Infrastructure 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
ASX
0.73
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.
VRSN
-0.34
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
VRSN has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -0.34. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASX
1.05
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ASX’s P/S Ratio of 1.05 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.
VRSN
17.07
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
VRSN’s P/S Ratio of 17.07 is in the upper echelon for the Software - Infrastructure 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
ASX
2.04
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
ASX’s P/B Ratio of 2.04 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors 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.
VRSN
-19.29
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 19.94
- Q3
- 10.91
- Median
- 6.33
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.51
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Infrastructure industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASX | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 18.57 | 34.25 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 0.73 | -0.34 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 1.05 | 17.07 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.04 | -19.29 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -63.40 | 29.66 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 7.08 | 24.67 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 1.29 | 17.84 |