GDS vs. TTD: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GDS and TTD, 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, TTD is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | GDS | TTD |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GDS Holdings Limited | The Trade Desk, Inc. |
| Country | China | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Media |
| Market Capitalization | 7.81 billion USD | 23.05 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGM | NasdaqGM |
| Listing Date | November 2, 2016 | September 21, 2016 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GDS and TTD 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 | TTD |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.25% | 4.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 41.88% | -31.92% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 50.68% | -16.65% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.97% | -55.22% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 18.72% | -10.34% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 75.79% | -58.30% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 12.22M | 22.30M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 10.28M | 14.37M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 64.12% | 88.98% |
| Beta | 1.88 | 1.46 |
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.
TTD
15.19%
Media Industry
- Max
- 31.00%
- Q3
- 15.18%
- Median
- 10.91%
- Q1
- 4.47%
- Min
- -5.88%
In the upper quartile for the Media industry, TTD’s Return on Equity of 15.19% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
TTD
15.57%
Media Industry
- Max
- 20.69%
- Q3
- 11.93%
- Median
- 6.49%
- Q1
- 2.47%
- Min
- -4.90%
A Net Profit Margin of 15.57% places TTD in the upper quartile for the Media industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
TTD
17.73%
Media Industry
- Max
- 24.30%
- Q3
- 13.57%
- Median
- 9.15%
- Q1
- 4.63%
- Min
- -6.28%
An Operating Profit Margin of 17.73% places TTD in the upper quartile for the Media 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 | TTD |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.17% | 15.19% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.08% | 7.17% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 42.87% | 15.57% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.44% | 17.73% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.45% | 79.41% |
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.
TTD
1.71
Media Industry
- Max
- 3.59
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.33
TTD’s Current Ratio of 1.71 aligns with the median group of the Media 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
- 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.
TTD
0.03
Media Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.25
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Media industry, TTD’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.03 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
- 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.
TTD
44.57
Media Industry
- Max
- 58.38
- Q3
- 25.12
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.14
- Min
- -10.82
TTD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 44.57 is in the upper quartile for the Media industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | TTD |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.00 | 1.71 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.93 | 1.68 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.82 | 0.03 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.66 | 44.57 |
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.
TTD
0.00%
Media Industry
- Max
- 8.07%
- Q3
- 3.69%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TTD 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.
TTD
0.00%
Media Industry
- Max
- 199.37%
- Q3
- 102.15%
- Median
- 47.09%
- Q1
- 12.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
TTD 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 | TTD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GDS
12.57
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 12.57 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
TTD
57.52
Media Industry
- Max
- 73.10
- Q3
- 36.19
- Median
- 15.22
- Q1
- 11.43
- Min
- 5.11
A P/E Ratio of 57.52 places TTD in the upper quartile for the Media industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GDS
5.39
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.99
- Q3
- 4.26
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.12
GDS’s P/S Ratio of 5.39 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.
TTD
8.96
Media Industry
- Max
- 3.52
- Q3
- 2.14
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.21
With a P/S Ratio of 8.96, TTD trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Media 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
1.61
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 12.34
- Q3
- 7.54
- Median
- 3.84
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- 0.88
GDS’s P/B Ratio of 1.61 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.
TTD
13.12
Media Industry
- Max
- 4.43
- Q3
- 2.53
- Median
- 1.71
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.56
At 13.12, TTD’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Media 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 | TTD |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.57 | 57.52 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.39 | 8.96 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.61 | 13.12 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 32.18 |