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

Updated on August 20, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	CFLT	NOW
Company Name	Confluent, Inc.	ServiceNow, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Software	Software
Market Capitalization	5.96 billion USD	179.15 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	June 24, 2021	June 29, 2012
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CFLT 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CFLT	NOW
5-Day Price Return	2.13%	-1.24%
13-Week Price Return	-22.61%	-15.00%
26-Week Price Return	-42.15%	-15.64%
52-Week Price Return	-14.32%	7.03%
Month-to-Date Return	-2.45%	-8.46%
Year-to-Date Return	-38.16%	-18.57%
10-Day Avg. Volume	15.25M	2.01M
3-Month Avg. Volume	7.05M	1.63M
3-Month Volatility	75.14%	27.13%
Beta	0.95	0.93

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CFLT

-31.29%

Software Industry

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

CFLT has a negative Return on Equity of -31.29%. 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.

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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CFLT

-29.27%

Software Industry

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

CFLT has a negative Net Profit Margin of -29.27%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CFLT

-37.29%

Software Industry

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

CFLT has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -37.29%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CFLT	NOW
Return on Equity (TTM)	-31.29%	16.62%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-11.52%	8.12%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-29.27%	13.78%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-37.29%	13.28%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	74.22%	78.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CFLT

3.98

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

CFLT’s Current Ratio of 3.98 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.

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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CFLT

1.03

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

CFLT’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Software industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.03. 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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CFLT

-87.07

Software Industry

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

CFLT has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -87.07. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CFLT	NOW
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.98	1.09
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	3.83	0.99
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.03	0.14
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-87.07	32.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

CFLT 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

CFLT 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)

CFLT

0.00%

Software Industry

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

CFLT 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.

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.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CFLT

0.00%

Software Industry

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

CFLT 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.

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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CFLT	NOW
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CFLT

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

P/E Ratio data for CFLT is currently unavailable.

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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CFLT

5.60

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

CFLT’s P/S Ratio of 5.60 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CFLT

7.98

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

CFLT’s P/B Ratio of 7.98 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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CFLT	NOW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	106.87
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.60	14.72
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	7.98	19.48
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	120.43	46.65