GDS vs. TEL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GDS and TEL, 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, TEL is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | GDS | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GDS Holdings Limited | TE Connectivity plc |
| Country | China | Ireland |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components |
| Market Capitalization | 6.18 billion USD | 60.61 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGM | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 2, 2016 | June 14, 2007 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GDS and TEL 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 | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.49% | 0.86% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 20.44% | 29.09% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -20.91% | 31.45% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.97% | 36.13% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -7.21% | -0.30% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 44.47% | 43.48% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 12.84M | 1.56M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 8.70M | 1.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 60.09% | 28.56% |
| Beta | 1.53 | 1.27 |
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.
TEL
11.82%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 29.99%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.55%
TEL’s Return on Equity of 11.82% is on par with the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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.
TEL
8.78%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.55%
- Q3
- 12.80%
- Median
- 7.58%
- Q1
- 3.09%
- Min
- -8.70%
TEL’s Net Profit Margin of 8.78% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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.
TEL
17.77%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 30.04%
- Q3
- 16.04%
- Median
- 9.75%
- Q1
- 4.27%
- Min
- -12.63%
An Operating Profit Margin of 17.77% places TEL in the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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 | GDS | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.12% | 11.82% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.88% | 6.20% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.75% | 8.78% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.69% | 17.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.12% | 34.99% |
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.
TEL
1.52
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.43
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.64
TEL’s Current Ratio of 1.52 aligns with the median group of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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.
TEL
0.46
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 0.54
- Median
- 0.34
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
TEL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.46 is typical for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
TEL
114.40
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 101.00
- Q3
- 43.88
- Median
- 13.27
- Q1
- 3.73
- Min
- -18.73
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 114.40, TEL demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.47 | 1.52 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.29 | 0.83 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.75 | 0.46 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.66 | 114.40 |
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.
TEL
1.33%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.86%
- Q3
- 2.53%
- Median
- 1.28%
- Q1
- 0.16%
- Min
- 0.00%
TEL’s Dividend Yield of 1.33% is consistent with its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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.
TEL
54.30%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 161.37%
- Q3
- 67.12%
- Median
- 34.46%
- Q1
- 3.82%
- Min
- 0.00%
TEL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 54.30% is within the typical range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.33% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 54.30% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GDS
10.47
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 10.47 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
TEL
40.92
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 73.87
- Q3
- 41.11
- Median
- 25.31
- Q1
- 18.58
- Min
- 8.59
TEL’s P/E Ratio of 40.92 is within the middle range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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
4.37
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 4.37 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.
TEL
3.59
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.74
- Q3
- 3.49
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.16
- Min
- 0.11
TEL’s P/S Ratio of 3.59 is in the upper echelon for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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
1.41
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.41 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.
TEL
4.00
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.45
- Q3
- 3.49
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.35
TEL’s P/B Ratio of 4.00 is in the upper tier for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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 | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 10.47 | 40.92 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.37 | 3.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 4.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 20.66 |