FOUR vs. ZS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here’s a clear look at FOUR and ZS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FOUR | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Shift4 Payments, Inc. | Zscaler, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Financial Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | Financial Services | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Transaction & Payment Processing Services | Systems Software |
| Market Capitalization | 3.72 billion USD | 21.88 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 5, 2020 | March 16, 2018 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
ZS’s market capitalization (21.88 billion USD) is significantly greater than FOUR’s (3.72 billion USD), highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FOUR and ZS 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 | FOUR | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -7.43% | -3.94% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -32.03% | -36.02% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -40.73% | -56.16% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -43.95% | -37.79% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.90% | -4.41% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -28.54% | -40.37% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.45M | 2.69M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.21M | 2.61M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 78.12% | 64.34% |
| Beta | 1.46 | 1.00 |
With betas of 1.46 for FOUR and 1.00 for ZS, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FOUR
8.64%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 39.62%
- Q3
- 20.29%
- Median
- 12.18%
- Q1
- 6.20%
- Min
- -10.90%
FOUR’s Return on Equity of 8.64% is on par with the norm for the Financial Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
ZS
-3.48%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.41%
- Q3
- 24.82%
- Median
- 10.79%
- Q1
- -3.60%
- Min
- -39.77%
ZS has a negative Return on Equity of -3.48%. 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FOUR
2.85%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 55.05%
- Q3
- 28.60%
- Median
- 15.00%
- Q1
- 7.13%
- Min
- -9.76%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Financial Services industry, FOUR’s Net Profit Margin of 2.85% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
ZS
-2.25%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.76%
- Q3
- 19.52%
- Median
- 12.27%
- Q1
- -2.45%
- Min
- -35.22%
ZS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.25%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FOUR
8.11%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 79.44%
- Q3
- 43.62%
- Median
- 23.94%
- Q1
- 11.10%
- Min
- -4.07%
FOUR’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.11% 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.
ZS
-4.86%
Software Industry
- Max
- 55.26%
- Q3
- 25.01%
- Median
- 13.33%
- Q1
- -3.22%
- Min
- -43.76%
ZS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.86%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FOUR | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 8.64% | -3.48% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.60% | -1.08% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.85% | -2.25% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.11% | -4.86% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.16% | 76.56% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FOUR
1.66
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83
- Q3
- 2.66
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 0.90
- Min
- 0.01
For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
ZS
1.90
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.47
ZS’s Current Ratio of 1.90 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FOUR
3.15
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 4.11
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.
ZS
0.78
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.40
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.30
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
ZS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.78 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)
FOUR
2.38
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 140.54
- Q3
- 59.26
- Median
- 5.92
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- -44.62
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.
ZS
-6.38
Software Industry
- Max
- 45.58
- Q3
- 18.30
- Median
- 2.30
- Q1
- -7.09
- Min
- -44.45
ZS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -6.38. 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 | FOUR | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.66 | 1.90 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.56 | 1.83 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.15 | 0.78 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.38 | -6.38 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | FOUR | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 34.00% | 25.91% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 25.50% | 23.91% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 27.99% | 34.82% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 40.37% | 44.03% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | FOUR | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | -61.47% | -- |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -50.41% | -- |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 13.81% | -- |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | -- | -- |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FOUR
0.00%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 7.50%
- Q3
- 3.57%
- Median
- 1.81%
- 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.
ZS
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.07%
- Q3
- 0.45%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZS 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)
FOUR
0.00%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 124.83%
- Q3
- 56.27%
- Median
- 18.41%
- 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.
ZS
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 35.09%
- Q3
- 15.51%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZS 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 | FOUR | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FOUR
38.63
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 53.09
- Q3
- 27.28
- Median
- 11.26
- Q1
- 8.46
- Min
- 0.38
A P/E Ratio of 38.63 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.
ZS
--
Software Industry
- Max
- 118.55
- Q3
- 59.07
- Median
- 30.35
- Q1
- 19.35
- Min
- 9.51
P/E Ratio data for ZS is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FOUR
1.10
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 7.62
- Q3
- 4.75
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.03
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.
ZS
7.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 17.34
- Q3
- 9.21
- Median
- 5.13
- Q1
- 3.33
- Min
- 0.79
ZS’s P/S Ratio of 7.26 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FOUR
3.87
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 7.07
- Q3
- 3.46
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.09
FOUR’s P/B Ratio of 3.87 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.
ZS
14.57
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.50
- Q3
- 12.31
- Median
- 6.86
- Q1
- 3.39
- Min
- 0.38
ZS’s P/B Ratio of 14.57 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FOUR | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 38.63 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.10 | 7.26 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.87 | 14.57 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 11.49 | 24.93 |