GDS vs. STX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GDS and STX, 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, STX is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | GDS | STX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GDS Holdings Limited | Seagate Technology Holdings plc |
| Country | China | Singapore |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 6.88 billion USD | 33.37 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGM | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | November 2, 2016 | December 11, 2002 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GDS and STX 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 | STX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.84% | 5.96% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 29.01% | 53.92% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 42.30% | 62.54% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.97% | 63.75% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.79% | -0.06% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 54.47% | 81.81% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.51M | 3.32M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 8.73M | 4.37M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 60.94% | 34.01% |
| Beta | 1.56 | 1.60 |
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.
STX
398.07%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
STX’s Return on Equity of 398.07% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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.
STX
16.15%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
STX’s Net Profit Margin of 16.15% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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.
STX
20.88%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
STX’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.88% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | STX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.12% | 398.07% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.88% | 18.64% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.75% | 16.15% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.69% | 20.88% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.12% | 35.32% |
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.
STX
1.38
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
STX’s Current Ratio of 1.38 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.
STX
51.80
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 51.80, STX operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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.
STX
6.11
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- -23.93
In the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, STX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.11 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | STX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.47 | 1.38 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.29 | 0.84 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.75 | 51.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.66 | 6.11 |
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.
STX
1.80%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STX’s Dividend Yield of 1.80% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
STX
40.84%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.84% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | STX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.80% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 40.84% |
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.
STX
22.72
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
STX’s P/E Ratio of 22.72 is within the middle range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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.
STX
3.67
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
STX’s P/S Ratio of 3.67 is in the upper echelon for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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
1.40
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.
STX
136.18
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
At 136.18, STX’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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 | STX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 11.54 | 22.72 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.82 | 3.67 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.40 | 136.18 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 40.80 |