CTSH vs. PLTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CTSH and PLTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CTSH | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation | Palantir Technologies Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 35.54 billion USD | 412.45 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 19, 1998 | September 30, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CTSH 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 | CTSH | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.36% | -10.12% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.74% | -1.78% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -10.64% | 35.84% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -11.78% | 186.67% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.36% | -13.20% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -5.57% | 130.08% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.85M | 74.97M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.31M | 62.11M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.33% | 51.08% |
| Beta | 0.98 | 1.58 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CTSH
14.31%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 37.08%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 14.70%
- Q1
- 6.70%
- Min
- -8.16%
CTSH’s Return on Equity of 14.31% is on par with the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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)
CTSH
10.20%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 17.01%
- Q3
- 11.02%
- Median
- 6.91%
- Q1
- 3.07%
- Min
- -5.13%
CTSH’s Net Profit Margin of 10.20% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the IT Services 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)
CTSH
15.76%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 15.32%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.58%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.76% 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.
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 | CTSH | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.31% | 19.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.61% | 15.34% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.20% | 28.11% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.76% | 21.81% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.06% | 80.81% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CTSH
2.36
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.49
CTSH’s Current Ratio of 2.36 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.
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)
CTSH
0.04
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.30
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.14
- 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.
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)
CTSH
100.81
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -28.15
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.
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 | CTSH | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.36 | 6.43 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.36 | 6.31 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.04 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 100.81 | -1.53 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CTSH
1.73%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 4.66%
- Q3
- 2.02%
- Median
- 0.66%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTSH’s Dividend Yield of 1.73% is consistent with its peers in the IT Services 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)
CTSH
28.62%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 93.78%
- Q3
- 63.22%
- Median
- 24.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTSH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.62% is within the typical range for the IT Services 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 | CTSH | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.73% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.62% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CTSH
16.50
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 30.25
- Median
- 21.01
- Q1
- 16.50
- Min
- 0.00
CTSH’s P/E Ratio of 16.50 is within the middle range for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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)
CTSH
1.68
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.00
CTSH’s P/S Ratio of 1.68 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.
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)
CTSH
2.20
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
CTSH’s P/B Ratio of 2.20 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.
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 | CTSH | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 16.50 | 366.71 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.68 | 103.10 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.20 | 65.64 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 13.24 | 223.93 |