GEN vs. KEYS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 25, 2025

Here’s a clear look at GEN and KEYS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	GEN	KEYS
Company Name	Gen Digital Inc.	Keysight Technologies, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Software	Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components
Market Capitalization	19.36 billion USD	28.67 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	June 23, 1989	October 20, 2014
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GEN and KEYS 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.

GEN vs. KEYS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GEN	KEYS
5-Day Price Return	-0.22%	1.48%
13-Week Price Return	10.35%	2.71%
26-Week Price Return	12.21%	-9.65%
52-Week Price Return	23.39%	5.74%
Month-to-Date Return	6.61%	1.81%
Year-to-Date Return	14.83%	3.88%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.88M	1.25M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.31M	0.92M
3-Month Volatility	26.35%	23.65%
Beta	0.97	1.18

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.

KEYS

14.13%

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 29.99%
Q3: 15.78%
Median: 9.05%
Q1: 5.63%
Min: -9.55%

KEYS’s Return on Equity of 14.13% 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.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

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.

KEYS

14.53%

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 25.55%
Q3: 12.80%
Median: 7.58%
Q1: 3.09%
Min: -8.70%

A Net Profit Margin of 14.53% places KEYS in the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

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.

KEYS

16.84%

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 16.84% places KEYS 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.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GEN	KEYS
Return on Equity (TTM)	30.30%	14.13%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.16%	7.71%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.34%	14.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	40.15%	16.84%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	80.28%	62.47%

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.

KEYS

3.39

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 4.43
Q3: 2.88
Median: 2.05
Q1: 1.52
Min: 0.64

KEYS’s Current Ratio of 3.39 is in the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

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.

KEYS

0.46

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 1.14
Q3: 0.54
Median: 0.34
Q1: 0.11
Min: 0.00

KEYS’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.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

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.

KEYS

55.28

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 101.00
Q3: 43.88
Median: 13.27
Q1: 3.73
Min: -18.73

KEYS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 55.28 is in the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GEN	KEYS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.51	3.39
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.46	2.56
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	3.64	0.46
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.88	55.28

Growth

Revenue Growth

GEN vs. KEYS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

GEN vs. KEYS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

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.

KEYS

0.00%

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 4.86%
Q3: 2.53%
Median: 1.28%
Q1: 0.16%
Min: 0.00%

KEYS 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.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

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.

KEYS

0.00%

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 161.37%
Q3: 67.12%
Median: 34.46%
Q1: 3.82%
Min: 0.00%

KEYS 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.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GEN	KEYS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.62%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	48.68%	0.00%

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.

KEYS

37.92

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 73.87
Q3: 41.11
Median: 25.31
Q1: 18.58
Min: 8.59

KEYS’s P/E Ratio of 37.92 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.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

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.

KEYS

5.51

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 6.74
Q3: 3.49
Median: 2.03
Q1: 1.16
Min: 0.11

KEYS’s P/S Ratio of 5.51 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.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

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.

KEYS

4.59

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry

Max: 6.45
Q3: 3.49
Median: 1.98
Q1: 1.31
Min: 0.35

KEYS’s P/B Ratio of 4.59 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.

GEN vs. KEYS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GEN	KEYS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	30.09	37.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.92	5.51
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	7.18	4.59
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	16.04	20.90