GDS vs. ZBRA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GDS and ZBRA, 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, ZBRA is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | GDS | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GDS Holdings Limited | Zebra Technologies Corporation |
| Country | China | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components |
| Market Capitalization | 5.75 billion USD | 12.04 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGM | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | November 2, 2016 | August 15, 1991 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GDS and ZBRA 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 | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -9.57% | -7.70% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -9.85% | -24.33% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.99% | -20.44% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.97% | -39.89% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -13.70% | -10.66% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 29.30% | -37.71% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.28M | 0.76M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 10.11M | 0.60M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 59.37% | 41.95% |
| Beta | 2.45 | 1.70 |
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.
ZBRA
14.05%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.62%
- Q3
- 13.32%
- Median
- 9.23%
- Q1
- 4.70%
- Min
- -3.60%
In the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, ZBRA’s Return on Equity of 14.05% 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
- 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.
ZBRA
9.74%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 18.22%
- Q3
- 10.34%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -4.57%
ZBRA’s Net Profit Margin of 9.74% 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
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.
ZBRA
14.96%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 26.64%
- Q3
- 15.10%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.57%
- Min
- -7.07%
ZBRA’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.96% is around the midpoint for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.17% | 14.05% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.08% | 6.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 42.87% | 9.74% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.44% | 14.96% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.45% | 48.39% |
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.
ZBRA
1.61
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.52
- Q3
- 3.20
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.33
ZBRA’s Current Ratio of 1.61 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
1.82
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.
ZBRA
0.58
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.55
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.10
- Min
- 0.00
ZBRA’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
ZBRA
7.83
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 114.40
- Q3
- 51.32
- Median
- 14.03
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -61.15
ZBRA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.83 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GDS | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.00 | 1.61 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.93 | 1.13 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.82 | 0.58 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.66 | 7.83 |
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.
ZBRA
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.16%
- Q3
- 2.39%
- Median
- 1.18%
- Q1
- 0.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZBRA 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.
ZBRA
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 197.57%
- Q3
- 87.33%
- Median
- 36.23%
- Q1
- 3.99%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZBRA 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 | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
ZBRA
25.55
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 71.05
- Q3
- 42.87
- Median
- 27.84
- Q1
- 19.17
- Min
- 7.73
ZBRA’s P/E Ratio of 25.55 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
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.
ZBRA
2.49
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.81
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.16
ZBRA’s P/S Ratio of 2.49 aligns with the market consensus for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
ZBRA
4.03
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.49
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.55
- Min
- 0.44
ZBRA’s P/B Ratio of 4.03 is within the conventional range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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 | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 9.32 | 25.55 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.99 | 2.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.61 | 4.03 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 16.52 |