GOOGL vs. MSFT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GOOGL and MSFT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GOOGL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alphabet Inc. | Microsoft Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 2,415.52 billion USD | 3,759.10 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | August 19, 2004 | March 13, 1986 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GOOGL and MSFT 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 | GOOGL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.78% | -3.21% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.68% | 10.21% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.08% | 23.18% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 19.59% | 19.97% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.87% | -5.21% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.29% | 19.98% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 28.20M | 20.86M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 38.69M | 20.58M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.73% | 15.87% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GOOGL
34.31%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 29.69%
- Median
- 9.73%
- Q1
- 2.47%
- Min
- -26.19%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, GOOGL’s Return on Equity of 34.31% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
MSFT
32.44%
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, MSFT’s Return on Equity of 32.44% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GOOGL
31.12%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.41%
- Q3
- 29.38%
- Median
- 17.14%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -30.88%
A Net Profit Margin of 31.12% places GOOGL in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
MSFT
36.15%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 36.15% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GOOGL
32.68%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.95%
- Median
- 18.60%
- Q1
- 5.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
GOOGL’s Operating Profit Margin of 32.68% is around the midpoint for the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
MSFT
45.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 45.29% places MSFT 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.31% | 32.44% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.88% | 18.20% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.12% | 36.15% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.68% | 45.29% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 58.94% | 68.82% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GOOGL
1.90
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.30
- Q3
- 2.68
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.45
GOOGL’s Current Ratio of 1.90 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
MSFT
1.35
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
MSFT’s Current Ratio of 1.35 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
GOOGL
0.07
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.90
- Q3
- 0.47
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
GOOGL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 is typical for the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
MSFT
0.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSFT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.26 is typical for the Software 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)
GOOGL
16.20
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 67.60
- Q3
- 29.41
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -37.02
GOOGL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 16.20 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
MSFT
891.80
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 891.80, MSFT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | 1.35 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | 1.35 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.07 | 0.26 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 16.20 | 891.80 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GOOGL
0.41%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.87%
- Q3
- 1.08%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GOOGL’s Dividend Yield of 0.41% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
MSFT
0.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT’s Dividend Yield of 0.64% 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
8.54%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.35%
- Q3
- 38.67%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GOOGL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 8.54% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
MSFT
23.65%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 23.65%, MSFT’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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.41% | 0.64% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 8.54% | 23.65% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
21.01
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.79
- Q3
- 54.33
- Median
- 25.46
- Q1
- 18.76
- Min
- 6.96
GOOGL’s P/E Ratio of 21.01 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
MSFT
37.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
MSFT’s P/E Ratio of 37.23 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
6.54
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.01
- Q3
- 12.39
- Median
- 6.49
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.22
GOOGL’s P/S Ratio of 6.54 aligns with the market consensus for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
MSFT
13.46
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
MSFT’s P/S Ratio of 13.46 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GOOGL
5.91
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.66
- Q3
- 7.17
- Median
- 4.17
- Q1
- 2.80
- Min
- 0.12
GOOGL’s P/B Ratio of 5.91 is within the conventional range for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
MSFT
10.76
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
MSFT’s P/B Ratio of 10.76 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.01 | 37.23 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.54 | 13.46 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.91 | 10.76 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.39 | 52.94 |