GEN vs. HPE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GEN and HPE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GEN | HPE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Gen Digital Inc. | Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 19.36 billion USD | 27.61 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 23, 1989 | October 19, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GEN and HPE 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 | GEN | HPE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.22% | -1.31% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 10.35% | 20.50% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 12.21% | -1.13% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 23.39% | 11.44% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.61% | 1.69% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 14.83% | -1.45% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.88M | 14.41M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.31M | 17.84M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.35% | 33.79% |
| Beta | 0.97 | 1.45 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GEN
30.30%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
In the upper quartile for the Software industry, GEN’s Return on Equity of 30.30% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
HPE
6.06%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
HPE’s Return on Equity of 6.06% 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)
GEN
16.34%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
GEN’s Net Profit Margin of 16.34% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
HPE
4.60%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
HPE’s Net Profit Margin of 4.60% 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)
GEN
40.15%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 40.15% places GEN in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
HPE
4.86%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
HPE’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.86% is around the midpoint for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GEN | HPE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.30% | 6.06% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.16% | 2.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.34% | 4.60% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 40.15% | 4.86% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 80.28% | 30.05% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GEN
0.51
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
GEN’s Current Ratio of 0.51 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
HPE
1.29
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
HPE’s Current Ratio of 1.29 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)
GEN
3.64
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.64, GEN operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Software industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
HPE
0.73
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
HPE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.73 is typical for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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)
GEN
2.88
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
GEN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.88 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
HPE
116.71
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- -23.93
HPE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 116.71 is in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GEN | HPE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.51 | 1.29 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.46 | 0.96 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.64 | 0.73 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.88 | 116.71 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GEN
1.62%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GEN’s Dividend Yield of 1.62% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
HPE
2.66%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HPE’s Dividend Yield of 2.66% 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)
GEN
48.68%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 48.68%, GEN’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
HPE
24.94%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HPE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 24.94% 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 | GEN | HPE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.62% | 2.66% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 48.68% | 24.94% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GEN
30.09
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
GEN’s P/E Ratio of 30.09 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
HPE
18.99
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
HPE’s P/E Ratio of 18.99 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)
GEN
4.92
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
GEN’s P/S Ratio of 4.92 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
HPE
0.87
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
HPE’s P/S Ratio of 0.87 aligns with the market consensus for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GEN
7.18
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
GEN’s P/B Ratio of 7.18 is within the conventional range for the Software 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.
HPE
0.89
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
HPE’s P/B Ratio of 0.89 is in the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GEN | HPE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 30.09 | 18.99 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.92 | 0.87 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.18 | 0.89 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 16.04 | 10.77 |