CDW vs. PLTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CDW and PLTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CDW | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CDW Corporation | Palantir Technologies Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 18.62 billion USD | 412.45 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 27, 2013 | September 30, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CDW and PLTR 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 | CDW | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.24% | -10.12% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -11.41% | -1.78% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -23.91% | 35.84% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -22.00% | 186.67% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -8.97% | -13.20% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -16.64% | 130.08% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.07M | 74.97M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.35M | 62.11M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 32.22% | 51.08% |
| Beta | 1.08 | 1.58 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CDW
43.43%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.62%
- Q3
- 13.32%
- Median
- 9.23%
- Q1
- 4.70%
- Min
- -3.60%
CDW’s Return on Equity of 43.43% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
PLTR
19.09%
Software Industry
- Max
- 65.88%
- Q3
- 22.54%
- Median
- 10.46%
- Q1
- -6.54%
- Min
- -41.05%
PLTR’s Return on Equity of 19.09% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CDW
4.76%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 18.22%
- Q3
- 10.34%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -4.57%
CDW’s Net Profit Margin of 4.76% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
PLTR
28.11%
Software Industry
- Max
- 53.50%
- Q3
- 20.30%
- Median
- 9.60%
- Q1
- -4.98%
- Min
- -41.00%
A Net Profit Margin of 28.11% places PLTR in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CDW
7.39%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 26.64%
- Q3
- 15.10%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.57%
- Min
- -7.07%
CDW’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.39% is around the midpoint for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
PLTR
21.81%
Software Industry
- Max
- 61.99%
- Q3
- 23.67%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- -3.57%
- Min
- -40.19%
PLTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 21.81% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CDW | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 43.43% | 19.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.99% | 15.34% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.76% | 28.11% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.39% | 21.81% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.60% | 80.81% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CDW
1.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.52
- Q3
- 3.20
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.33
CDW’s Current Ratio of 1.39 falls into the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
PLTR
6.43
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.01
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.50
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
PLTR’s Current Ratio of 6.43 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CDW
2.22
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.55
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.10
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.22, CDW operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
PLTR
0.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.04
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
PLTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CDW
7.69
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 114.40
- Q3
- 51.32
- Median
- 14.03
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -61.15
CDW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.69 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
PLTR
-1.53
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 33.82
- Median
- 1.59
- Q1
- -10.48
- Min
- -71.23
PLTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.53. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CDW | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.39 | 6.43 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.24 | 6.31 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.22 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.69 | -1.53 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CDW
1.75%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.16%
- Q3
- 2.39%
- Median
- 1.18%
- Q1
- 0.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
CDW’s Dividend Yield of 1.75% is consistent with its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.34%
- Q3
- 0.17%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR 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)
CDW
31.39%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 197.57%
- Q3
- 87.33%
- Median
- 36.23%
- Q1
- 3.99%
- Min
- 0.00%
CDW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.39% is within the typical range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 6.56%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR 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 | CDW | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.75% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 31.39% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CDW
17.97
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 71.05
- Q3
- 42.87
- Median
- 27.84
- Q1
- 19.17
- Min
- 7.73
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, CDW’s P/E Ratio of 17.97 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
PLTR
366.71
Software Industry
- Max
- 142.78
- Q3
- 72.24
- Median
- 36.21
- Q1
- 24.24
- Min
- 4.55
At 366.71, PLTR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Software industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CDW
0.85
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.81
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.16
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, CDW’s P/S Ratio of 0.85 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.
PLTR
103.10
Software Industry
- Max
- 20.79
- Q3
- 12.71
- Median
- 6.75
- Q1
- 4.56
- Min
- 0.87
With a P/S Ratio of 103.10, PLTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CDW
8.22
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.49
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.55
- Min
- 0.44
At 8.22, CDW’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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.
PLTR
65.64
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.49
- Q3
- 14.84
- Median
- 8.09
- Q1
- 4.32
- Min
- 0.38
At 65.64, PLTR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CDW | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.97 | 366.71 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.85 | 103.10 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 8.22 | 65.64 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.72 | 223.93 |