CRM vs. GDS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 19, 2025

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

Company Profile

CRM is a standard domestic listing, while GDS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	CRM	GDS
Company Name	Salesforce, Inc.	GDS Holdings Limited
Country	United States	China
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Software	IT Services
Market Capitalization	226.60 billion USD	6.88 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGM
Listing Date	June 23, 2004	November 2, 2016
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CRM 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	GDS
5-Day Price Return	-1.60%	-1.84%
13-Week Price Return	-17.93%	29.01%
26-Week Price Return	-28.35%	42.30%
52-Week Price Return	-5.68%	-19.97%
Month-to-Date Return	-8.25%	-0.79%
Year-to-Date Return	-29.10%	54.47%
10-Day Avg. Volume	8.49M	6.51M
3-Month Avg. Volume	7.42M	8.73M
3-Month Volatility	26.02%	60.94%
Beta	1.22	1.56

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CRM

10.43%

Software Industry

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

CRM’s Return on Equity of 10.43% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

GDS

19.12%

IT Services Industry

Max: 29.51%
Q3: 16.98%
Median: 13.47%
Q1: 7.93%
Min: -3.97%

In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s Return on Equity of 19.12% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CRM

16.08%

Software Industry

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

CRM’s Net Profit Margin of 16.08% 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.

GDS

41.75%

IT Services Industry

Max: 19.82%
Q3: 11.49%
Median: 6.67%
Q1: 3.61%
Min: -4.62%

GDS’s Net Profit Margin of 41.75% 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.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CRM

18.10%

Software Industry

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

CRM’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.10% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

GDS

21.69%

IT Services Industry

Max: 21.69%
Q3: 14.50%
Median: 10.06%
Q1: 6.98%
Min: 0.06%

An Operating Profit Margin of 21.69% 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.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	GDS
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.43%	19.12%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.44%	5.88%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.08%	41.75%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.10%	21.69%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	77.34%	21.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

1.07

Software Industry

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

CRM’s Current Ratio of 1.07 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

GDS

1.47

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.42
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.47
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.44

GDS’s Current Ratio of 1.47 aligns with the median group of the IT Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

0.14

Software Industry

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

CRM’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.

GDS

1.75

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.33
Q3: 1.17
Median: 0.54
Q1: 0.15
Min: 0.00

GDS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.75. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CRM

19.86

Software Industry

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

CRM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 19.86 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

GDS

0.66

IT Services Industry

Max: 144.50
Q3: 84.49
Median: 13.76
Q1: 2.59
Min: -28.13

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.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	GDS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	1.47
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.98	1.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	1.75
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	19.86	0.66

Growth

Revenue Growth

CRM vs. GDS: 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

CRM vs. GDS: 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)

CRM

0.71%

Software Industry

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

CRM’s Dividend Yield of 0.71% 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.

GDS

0.00%

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.80%
Q3: 1.74%
Median: 0.62%
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.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CRM

25.00%

Software Industry

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

At 25.00%, CRM’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.

GDS

0.00%

IT Services Industry

Max: 147.75%
Q3: 63.58%
Median: 24.63%
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.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	GDS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.71%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	25.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CRM

35.45

Software Industry

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

CRM’s P/E Ratio of 35.45 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.

GDS

11.54

IT Services Industry

Max: 41.55
Q3: 31.54
Median: 23.25
Q1: 18.12
Min: 6.57

In the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s P/E Ratio of 11.54 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CRM

5.70

Software Industry

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

CRM’s P/S Ratio of 5.70 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.

GDS

4.82

IT Services Industry

Max: 6.61
Q3: 4.37
Median: 2.02
Q1: 1.20
Min: 0.19

GDS’s P/S Ratio of 4.82 is in the upper echelon for the IT Services 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.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CRM

4.25

Software Industry

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

CRM’s P/B Ratio of 4.25 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.

GDS

1.40

IT Services Industry

Max: 11.19
Q3: 6.38
Median: 3.47
Q1: 2.31
Min: 0.96

GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.40 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.

CRM vs. GDS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CRM	GDS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	35.45	11.54
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.70	4.82
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.25	1.40
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.39	--