FTV vs. GDS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FTV and GDS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
FTV 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 | FTV | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Fortive Corporation | GDS Holdings Limited |
| Country | United States | China |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Machinery | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 16.86 billion USD | 7.27 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGM |
| Listing Date | July 5, 2016 | November 2, 2016 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FTV 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 | FTV | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.12% | -8.68% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.94% | 13.14% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -26.29% | 50.00% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -34.70% | -19.97% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.74% | -8.68% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -33.55% | 60.53% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.91M | 13.01M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.87M | 10.11M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.43% | 62.60% |
| Beta | 1.06 | 2.06 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FTV
7.44%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 33.68%
- Q3
- 20.05%
- Median
- 12.37%
- Q1
- 8.67%
- Min
- -7.69%
FTV’s Return on Equity of 7.44% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
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)
FTV
12.51%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.72%
- Q3
- 11.07%
- Median
- 7.62%
- Q1
- 5.05%
- Min
- -1.52%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.51% places FTV in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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)
FTV
17.22%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 15.99%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -0.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 17.22% places FTV in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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 | FTV | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 7.44% | 19.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.40% | 6.08% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.51% | 42.87% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.22% | 22.44% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 59.78% | 21.45% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FTV
0.98
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.77
FTV’s Current Ratio of 0.98 falls into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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)
FTV
0.46
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.56
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
FTV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.46 is typical for the Machinery industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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)
FTV
6.04
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 81.58
- Q3
- 37.68
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 7.97
- Min
- -1.43
In the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, FTV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.04 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
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 | FTV | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.98 | 2.00 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 1.93 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.46 | 1.82 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.04 | 0.66 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FTV
0.65%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.55%
- Q3
- 2.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 1.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
FTV’s Dividend Yield of 0.65% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
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)
FTV
14.22%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 198.34%
- Q3
- 101.42%
- Median
- 62.79%
- Q1
- 29.85%
- Min
- 0.00%
FTV’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.22% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
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 | FTV | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.65% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 14.22% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FTV
21.99
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 47.95
- Q3
- 30.11
- Median
- 22.35
- Q1
- 16.56
- Min
- 6.48
FTV’s P/E Ratio of 21.99 is within the middle range for the Machinery 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
12.16
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 12.16 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FTV
2.75
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.04
FTV’s P/S Ratio of 2.75 aligns with the market consensus for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GDS
5.21
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.99
- Q3
- 4.26
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.12
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 5.21 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)
FTV
2.34
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.29
- Q3
- 4.06
- Median
- 2.67
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.52
FTV’s P/B Ratio of 2.34 is within the conventional range for the Machinery 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 | FTV | GDS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.99 | 12.16 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.75 | 5.21 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.34 | 1.61 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 12.20 | -- |