GDS vs. PSTG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GDS and PSTG, 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, PSTG is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | GDS | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GDS Holdings Limited | Pure Storage, Inc. |
| Country | China | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 6.88 billion USD | 19.46 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGM | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 2, 2016 | October 6, 2015 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GDS and PSTG 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 | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.84% | 3.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 29.01% | 11.64% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 42.30% | -14.57% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.97% | 4.13% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.79% | 0.05% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 54.47% | -3.06% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.51M | 2.00M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 8.73M | 2.64M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 60.94% | 40.02% |
| Beta | 1.56 | 1.18 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GDS
19.12%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 16.98%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 7.93%
- Min
- -3.97%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s Return on Equity of 19.12% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PSTG
9.44%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
PSTG’s Return on Equity of 9.44% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GDS
41.75%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.82%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 3.61%
- Min
- -4.62%
GDS’s Net Profit Margin of 41.75% 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.
PSTG
3.93%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
PSTG’s Net Profit Margin of 3.93% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GDS
21.69%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 21.69%
- Q3
- 14.50%
- Median
- 10.06%
- Q1
- 6.98%
- Min
- 0.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.69% 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.
PSTG
2.95%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
PSTG’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.95% is in the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.12% | 9.44% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.88% | 3.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.75% | 3.93% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.69% | 2.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.12% | 69.26% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GDS
1.47
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.42
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.44
GDS’s Current Ratio of 1.47 aligns with the median group of the IT Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
PSTG
1.61
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
PSTG’s Current Ratio of 1.61 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
GDS
1.75
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
GDS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.75. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
PSTG
0.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, PSTG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 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
- 144.50
- Q3
- 84.49
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 2.59
- Min
- -28.13
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.
PSTG
-2.95
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- -23.93
PSTG has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.95. 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 | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.47 | 1.61 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.29 | 1.40 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.75 | 0.08 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.66 | -2.95 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GDS
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.74%
- Median
- 0.62%
- 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.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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
- 147.75%
- Q3
- 63.58%
- Median
- 24.63%
- 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.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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 | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GDS
11.54
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
In the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, GDS’s P/E Ratio of 11.54 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
PSTG
151.99
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
At 151.99, PSTG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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
4.82
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 4.82 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.
PSTG
5.97
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 5.97, PSTG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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
1.40
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.40 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.
PSTG
12.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
PSTG’s P/B Ratio of 12.51 is in the upper tier for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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 | GDS | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 11.54 | 151.99 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.82 | 5.97 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.40 | 12.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 34.32 |