EXLS vs. GDS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EXLS and GDS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
EXLS 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 | EXLS | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ExlService Holdings, Inc. | GDS Holdings Limited |
| Country | United States | China |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 7.06 billion USD | 7.81 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGM |
| Listing Date | October 20, 2006 | November 2, 2016 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EXLS 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | EXLS | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.89% | -0.25% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.55% | 41.88% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.68% | 50.68% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 16.11% | -19.97% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.57% | 18.72% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -0.79% | 75.79% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.64M | 12.22M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.96M | 10.28M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.79% | 64.12% |
| Beta | 0.92 | 1.88 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EXLS
24.17%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 68.01%
- Q3
- 35.32%
- Median
- 21.92%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -20.25%
EXLS’s Return on Equity of 24.17% is on par with the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
GDS
19.17%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 32.78%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 13.86%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -10.00%
GDS’s Return on Equity of 19.17% is on par with the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
EXLS
12.00%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 31.75%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 8.95%
- Q1
- 4.51%
- Min
- 0.35%
EXLS’s Net Profit Margin of 12.00% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
GDS
42.87%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.71%
- Q3
- 11.01%
- Median
- 6.66%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -6.22%
GDS’s Net Profit Margin of 42.87% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
EXLS
15.25%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 30.62%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.60%
- Q1
- 8.60%
- Min
- -2.18%
EXLS’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.25% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GDS
22.44%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 22.44%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.82%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.89%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.44% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | EXLS | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.17% | 19.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.29% | 6.08% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.00% | 42.87% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.25% | 22.44% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.05% | 21.45% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EXLS
3.15
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.75
- Median
- 1.34
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
EXLS’s Current Ratio of 3.15 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Professional Services 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.
GDS
2.00
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.17
- Q3
- 2.00
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.52
GDS’s Current Ratio of 2.00 aligns with the median group of the IT Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
EXLS
0.25
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry, EXLS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.25 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
GDS
1.82
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.11
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.17
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.82. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
EXLS
94.94
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.45
- Q3
- 20.41
- Median
- 11.64
- Q1
- 5.46
- Min
- -1.21
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 94.94, EXLS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Professional Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
GDS
0.66
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- -28.15
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | EXLS | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.15 | 2.00 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.87 | 1.93 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.25 | 1.82 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 94.94 | 0.66 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EXLS
0.00%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- 0.52%
- Min
- 0.00%
EXLS 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.
GDS
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.79%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.58%
- 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
EXLS
0.00%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 128.51%
- Q3
- 69.03%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 18.05%
- Min
- 0.00%
EXLS 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.
GDS
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 107.85%
- Q3
- 52.62%
- Median
- 22.53%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | EXLS | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EXLS
29.94
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.60
- Q3
- 33.83
- Median
- 24.95
- Q1
- 17.59
- Min
- 7.96
EXLS’s P/E Ratio of 29.94 is within the middle range for the Professional 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.
GDS
12.57
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 56.41
- Q3
- 33.17
- Median
- 23.17
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 6.62
In the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s P/E Ratio of 12.57 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
EXLS
3.59
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.27
- Q3
- 4.40
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.17
EXLS’s P/S Ratio of 3.59 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GDS
5.39
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.99
- Q3
- 4.26
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.12
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 5.39 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
EXLS
6.72
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.75
- Q3
- 9.53
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.59
EXLS’s P/B Ratio of 6.72 is within the conventional range for the Professional 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.
GDS
1.61
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 12.34
- Q3
- 7.54
- Median
- 3.84
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- 0.88
GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.61 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | EXLS | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.94 | 12.57 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.59 | 5.39 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.72 | 1.61 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 24.61 | -- |