Seek Returns logo

BSY vs. NOW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on

Here’s a clear look at BSY and NOW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolBSYNOW
Company NameBentley Systems, IncorporatedServiceNow, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS IndustrySoftwareSoftware
Market Capitalization15.82 billion USD179.15 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNYSE
Listing DateSeptember 23, 2020June 29, 2012
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BSY and NOW 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.

BSY vs. NOW: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolBSYNOW
5-Day Price Return-2.67%-1.24%
13-Week Price Return9.13%-15.00%
26-Week Price Return11.45%-15.64%
52-Week Price Return7.76%7.03%
Month-to-Date Return-10.16%-8.46%
Year-to-Date Return11.54%-18.57%
10-Day Avg. Volume2.00M2.01M
3-Month Avg. Volume1.68M1.63M
3-Month Volatility19.55%27.13%
Beta1.090.93

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BSY

23.47%

Software Industry

Max
59.01%
Q3
21.98%
Median
7.15%
Q1
-11.12%
Min
-51.24%

In the upper quartile for the Software industry, BSY’s Return on Equity of 23.47% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NOW

16.62%

Software Industry

Max
59.01%
Q3
21.98%
Median
7.15%
Q1
-11.12%
Min
-51.24%

NOW’s Return on Equity of 16.62% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BSY

17.91%

Software Industry

Max
48.14%
Q3
18.23%
Median
5.60%
Q1
-9.22%
Min
-49.36%

BSY’s Net Profit Margin of 17.91% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NOW

13.78%

Software Industry

Max
48.14%
Q3
18.23%
Median
5.60%
Q1
-9.22%
Min
-49.36%

NOW’s Net Profit Margin of 13.78% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BSY

23.22%

Software Industry

Max
57.34%
Q3
20.60%
Median
7.84%
Q1
-8.72%
Min
-51.37%

An Operating Profit Margin of 23.22% places BSY in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

NOW

13.28%

Software Industry

Max
57.34%
Q3
20.60%
Median
7.84%
Q1
-8.72%
Min
-51.37%

NOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.28% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolBSYNOW
Return on Equity (TTM)23.47%16.62%
Return on Assets (TTM)7.47%8.12%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)17.91%13.78%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)23.22%13.28%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)81.18%78.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BSY

0.51

Software Industry

Max
3.83
Q3
2.31
Median
1.45
Q1
1.03
Min
0.24

BSY’s Current Ratio of 0.51 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

NOW

1.09

Software Industry

Max
3.83
Q3
2.31
Median
1.45
Q1
1.03
Min
0.24

NOW’s Current Ratio of 1.09 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Software industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BSY

1.07

Software Industry

Max
2.14
Q3
0.90
Median
0.29
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00

BSY’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Software industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.07. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

NOW

0.14

Software Industry

Max
2.14
Q3
0.90
Median
0.29
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00

NOW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.14 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Software industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BSY

15.21

Software Industry

Max
67.02
Q3
19.86
Median
0.70
Q1
-12.50
Min
-53.00

BSY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.21 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

NOW

32.13

Software Industry

Max
67.02
Q3
19.86
Median
0.70
Q1
-12.50
Min
-53.00

NOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.13 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolBSYNOW
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.511.09
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.440.99
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.070.14
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)15.2132.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

BSY vs. NOW: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BSY vs. NOW: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BSY

0.50%

Software Industry

Max
0.08%
Q3
0.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

BSY’s Dividend Yield of 0.50% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
0.08%
Q3
0.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NOW 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.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BSY

30.97%

Software Industry

Max
1.32%
Q3
0.53%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

At 30.97%, BSY’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
1.32%
Q3
0.53%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NOW 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.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolBSYNOW
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.50%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)30.97%0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BSY

61.79

Software Industry

Max
149.35
Q3
100.21
Median
47.97
Q1
26.77
Min
11.68

BSY’s P/E Ratio of 61.79 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

NOW

106.87

Software Industry

Max
149.35
Q3
100.21
Median
47.97
Q1
26.77
Min
11.68

A P/E Ratio of 106.87 places NOW in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BSY

11.07

Software Industry

Max
25.24
Q3
13.52
Median
8.15
Q1
4.87
Min
0.98

BSY’s P/S Ratio of 11.07 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

NOW

14.72

Software Industry

Max
25.24
Q3
13.52
Median
8.15
Q1
4.87
Min
0.98

NOW’s P/S Ratio of 14.72 is in the upper echelon for the Software 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.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BSY

14.09

Software Industry

Max
30.95
Q3
14.91
Median
7.75
Q1
3.60
Min
0.38

BSY’s P/B Ratio of 14.09 is within the conventional range for the Software 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.

NOW

19.48

Software Industry

Max
30.95
Q3
14.91
Median
7.75
Q1
3.60
Min
0.38

NOW’s P/B Ratio of 19.48 is in the upper tier for the Software 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.

BSY vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Software industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolBSYNOW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)61.79106.87
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)11.0714.72
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)14.0919.48
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)36.2246.65