Seek Returns logo

CTSH vs. FOUR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on

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

Company Profile

SymbolCTSHFOUR
Company NameCognizant Technology Solutions CorporationShift4 Payments, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyFinancials
GICS IndustryIT ServicesFinancial Services
Market Capitalization34.43 billion USD8.00 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNYSE
Listing DateJune 19, 1998June 5, 2020
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CTSH and FOUR 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolCTSHFOUR
5-Day Price Return1.61%1.56%
13-Week Price Return-13.58%0.57%
26-Week Price Return-21.31%-24.20%
52-Week Price Return-7.24%10.81%
Month-to-Date Return-1.77%-12.14%
Year-to-Date Return-8.34%-12.80%
10-Day Avg. Volume4.07M2.22M
3-Month Avg. Volume3.71M1.82M
3-Month Volatility21.70%42.64%
Beta0.971.74

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CTSH

16.50%

IT Services Industry

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

CTSH’s Return on Equity of 16.50% is on par with the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

FOUR

21.96%

Financial Services Industry

Max
40.58%
Q3
20.06%
Median
10.67%
Q1
4.19%
Min
-10.31%

In the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry, FOUR’s Return on Equity of 21.96% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CTSH

11.89%

IT Services Industry

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

A Net Profit Margin of 11.89% places CTSH in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

FOUR

6.11%

Financial Services Industry

Max
52.86%
Q3
25.58%
Median
12.23%
Q1
6.64%
Min
-9.92%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Financial Services industry, FOUR’s Net Profit Margin of 6.11% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CTSH

15.42%

IT Services Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 15.42% places CTSH 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.

FOUR

7.53%

Financial Services Industry

Max
77.28%
Q3
37.68%
Median
18.17%
Q1
9.27%
Min
-8.19%

FOUR’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.53% is in the lower quartile for the Financial Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolCTSHFOUR
Return on Equity (TTM)16.50%21.96%
Return on Assets (TTM)12.14%3.99%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)11.89%6.11%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)15.42%7.53%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)34.18%30.55%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CTSH

2.41

IT Services Industry

Max
2.42
Q3
1.81
Median
1.47
Q1
1.09
Min
0.44

CTSH’s Current Ratio of 2.41 is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

FOUR

2.53

Financial Services Industry

Max
4.58
Q3
2.59
Median
1.33
Q1
0.69
Min
0.01

For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CTSH

0.04

IT Services Industry

Max
2.33
Q3
1.17
Median
0.54
Q1
0.15
Min
0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, CTSH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

FOUR

2.34

Financial Services Industry

Max
4.96
Q3
2.10
Median
0.57
Q1
0.12
Min
0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CTSH

100.81

IT Services Industry

Max
144.50
Q3
84.49
Median
13.76
Q1
2.59
Min
-28.13

CTSH’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 100.81 is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

FOUR

14.17

Financial Services Industry

Max
136.23
Q3
56.08
Median
6.55
Q1
2.01
Min
-33.27

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolCTSHFOUR
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.412.53
Quick Ratio (MRQ)2.412.49
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.042.34
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)100.8114.17

Growth

Revenue Growth

CTSH vs. FOUR: 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

CTSH vs. FOUR: 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)

CTSH

1.75%

IT Services Industry

Max
2.80%
Q3
1.74%
Median
0.62%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 1.75%, CTSH offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

FOUR

0.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max
8.18%
Q3
3.60%
Median
1.56%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

FOUR 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.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CTSH

24.92%

IT Services Industry

Max
147.75%
Q3
63.58%
Median
24.63%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CTSH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 24.92% is within the typical range for the IT Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

FOUR

0.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max
155.56%
Q3
63.71%
Median
18.08%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

FOUR 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.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolCTSHFOUR
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.75%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)24.92%0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CTSH

14.21

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, CTSH’s P/E Ratio of 14.21 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

FOUR

36.29

Financial Services Industry

Max
63.23
Q3
32.10
Median
14.41
Q1
10.81
Min
0.37

A P/E Ratio of 36.29 places FOUR in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CTSH

1.69

IT Services Industry

Max
6.61
Q3
4.37
Median
2.02
Q1
1.20
Min
0.19

CTSH’s P/S Ratio of 1.69 aligns with the market consensus for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

FOUR

2.22

Financial Services Industry

Max
11.16
Q3
5.45
Median
2.61
Q1
1.25
Min
0.04

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CTSH

2.52

IT Services Industry

Max
11.19
Q3
6.38
Median
3.47
Q1
2.31
Min
0.96

CTSH’s P/B Ratio of 2.52 is within the conventional range for the IT Services 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.

FOUR

5.45

Financial Services Industry

Max
7.09
Q3
3.79
Median
1.46
Q1
0.83
Min
0.04

FOUR’s P/B Ratio of 5.45 is in the upper tier for the Financial Services 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.

CTSH vs. FOUR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective IT Services and Financial Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolCTSHFOUR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)14.2136.29
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)1.692.22
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)2.525.45
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)15.1721.02