GDS vs. NET: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GDS and NET, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
GDS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, NET is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | GDS | NET |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GDS Holdings Limited | Cloudflare, Inc. |
| Country | China | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 7.79 billion USD | 75.51 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGM | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 2, 2016 | September 13, 2019 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GDS and NET 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 | GDS | NET |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.71% | -0.87% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 23.16% | 13.28% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 53.06% | 92.27% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.97% | 173.09% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.90% | 0.97% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 74.21% | 101.22% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 12.52M | 2.23M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 10.14M | 2.89M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 62.59% | 36.06% |
| Beta | 1.88 | 1.94 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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
-10.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 32.78%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 13.86%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -10.00%
NET has a negative Return on Equity of -10.00%. 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)
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.
NET
-6.22%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.71%
- Q3
- 11.01%
- Median
- 6.66%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -6.22%
NET has a negative Net Profit Margin of -6.22%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
NET
-9.89%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 22.44%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.82%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.89%
NET has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -9.89%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | NET |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.17% | -10.00% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.08% | -2.99% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 42.87% | -6.22% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.44% | -9.89% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.45% | 76.14% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
NET
5.14
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.17
- Q3
- 2.00
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.52
NET’s Current Ratio of 5.14 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the IT 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
NET
2.63
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.11
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.17
- Min
- 0.00
NET’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.63. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
NET
-4.24
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- -28.15
NET has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -4.24. 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 | GDS | NET |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.00 | 5.14 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.93 | 5.01 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.82 | 2.63 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.66 | -4.24 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
NET
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.79%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.58%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NET 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)
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.
NET
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 107.85%
- Q3
- 52.62%
- Median
- 22.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NET 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 | GDS | NET |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GDS
12.94
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 12.94 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
NET
--
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 56.41
- Q3
- 33.17
- Median
- 23.17
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 6.62
P/E Ratio data for NET is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GDS
5.55
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.99
- Q3
- 4.26
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.12
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 5.55 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.
NET
40.18
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.99
- Q3
- 4.26
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.12
With a P/S Ratio of 40.18, NET trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the IT Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GDS
1.62
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 12.34
- Q3
- 7.54
- Median
- 3.84
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- 0.88
GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.62 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.
NET
54.75
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 12.34
- Q3
- 7.54
- Median
- 3.84
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- 0.88
At 54.75, NET’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the IT Services 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 | GDS | NET |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.94 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.55 | 40.18 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.62 | 54.75 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 421.88 |