GDS vs. OKTA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GDS and OKTA, 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, OKTA is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | GDS | OKTA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GDS Holdings Limited | Okta, Inc. |
| Country | China | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 5.75 billion USD | 14.55 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGM | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | November 2, 2016 | April 7, 2017 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GDS and OKTA 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 | OKTA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -9.57% | -2.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -9.85% | -8.78% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.99% | -32.33% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.97% | 7.04% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -13.70% | -8.29% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 29.30% | 6.52% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.28M | 1.70M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 10.11M | 3.05M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 59.37% | 29.78% |
| Beta | 2.45 | 0.76 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GDS
19.17%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 37.08%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 14.70%
- Q1
- 6.70%
- Min
- -8.16%
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.
OKTA
2.59%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 37.08%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 14.70%
- Q1
- 6.70%
- Min
- -8.16%
OKTA’s Return on Equity of 2.59% is in the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GDS
42.87%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 17.01%
- Q3
- 11.02%
- Median
- 6.91%
- Q1
- 3.07%
- Min
- -5.13%
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.
OKTA
6.08%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 17.01%
- Q3
- 11.02%
- Median
- 6.91%
- Q1
- 3.07%
- Min
- -5.13%
OKTA’s Net Profit Margin of 6.08% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GDS
22.44%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 15.32%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.58%
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.
OKTA
3.18%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 15.32%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.58%
OKTA’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.18% is in the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | OKTA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.17% | 2.59% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.08% | 1.80% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 42.87% | 6.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.44% | 3.18% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.45% | 76.91% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GDS
2.00
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.49
GDS’s Current Ratio of 2.00 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.
OKTA
1.35
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.49
OKTA’s Current Ratio of 1.35 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)
GDS
1.82
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.30
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.14
- 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.
OKTA
0.13
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, OKTA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.13 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
GDS
0.66
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 1.68
- 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.
OKTA
-9.31
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -28.15
OKTA has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -9.31. 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 | OKTA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.00 | 1.35 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.93 | 1.30 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.82 | 0.13 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.66 | -9.31 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GDS
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 4.66%
- Q3
- 2.02%
- Median
- 0.66%
- 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.
OKTA
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 4.66%
- Q3
- 2.02%
- Median
- 0.66%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
OKTA 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
- 93.78%
- Q3
- 63.22%
- Median
- 24.64%
- 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.
OKTA
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 93.78%
- Q3
- 63.22%
- Median
- 24.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
OKTA 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 | OKTA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GDS
9.32
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 30.25
- Median
- 21.01
- Q1
- 16.50
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s P/E Ratio of 9.32 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
OKTA
86.20
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 30.25
- Median
- 21.01
- Q1
- 16.50
- Min
- 0.00
At 86.20, OKTA’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the IT Services 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)
GDS
3.99
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 3.99 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.
OKTA
5.24
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.00
OKTA’s P/S Ratio of 5.24 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)
GDS
1.61
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
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.
OKTA
2.54
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
OKTA’s P/B Ratio of 2.54 is within the conventional range for the IT 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | OKTA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 9.32 | 86.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.99 | 5.24 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.61 | 2.54 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 17.28 |