GOOGL vs. NOW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GOOGL and NOW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GOOGL | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alphabet Inc. | ServiceNow, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 2,971.28 billion USD | 189.33 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 19, 2004 | June 29, 2012 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GOOGL and NOW 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 | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.53% | -3.03% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 36.66% | -12.67% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 58.66% | 14.60% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 47.93% | 3.63% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.93% | -0.86% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 29.61% | -13.94% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 29.13M | 1.37M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 37.32M | 1.51M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.06% | 30.54% |
| Beta | 1.08 | 0.97 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GOOGL
34.31%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 33.08%
- Median
- 10.37%
- Q1
- 5.76%
- Min
- -24.17%
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.
NOW
16.62%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
NOW’s Return on Equity of 16.62% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GOOGL
31.12%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.74%
- Q3
- 29.54%
- Median
- 20.53%
- Q1
- 7.52%
- Min
- -14.52%
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.
NOW
13.78%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
NOW’s Net Profit Margin of 13.78% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GOOGL
32.68%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.82%
- Median
- 18.53%
- Q1
- 7.69%
- 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.
NOW
13.28%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
NOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.28% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.31% | 16.62% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.88% | 8.12% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.12% | 13.78% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.68% | 13.28% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 58.94% | 78.52% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GOOGL
1.90
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.25
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.
NOW
1.09
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
NOW’s Current Ratio of 1.09 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
- 0.85
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.04
- 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.
NOW
0.14
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
NOW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.14 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
- 23.65
- Q3
- 16.48
- Median
- 6.73
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -3.62
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.
NOW
32.13
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
NOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.13 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | 1.09 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | 0.99 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.07 | 0.14 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 16.20 | 32.13 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GOOGL
0.33%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.07%
- Q3
- 1.27%
- Median
- 0.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GOOGL’s Dividend Yield of 0.33% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
NOW
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NOW 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)
GOOGL
8.54%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 101.53%
- Q3
- 40.64%
- 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.
NOW
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NOW 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 | GOOGL | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.33% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 8.54% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
25.68
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.72
- Q3
- 41.60
- Median
- 25.84
- Q1
- 18.18
- Min
- 1.76
GOOGL’s P/E Ratio of 25.68 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.
NOW
113.97
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
A P/E Ratio of 113.97 places NOW in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
7.99
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.76
- Q3
- 11.40
- Median
- 7.69
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.00
GOOGL’s P/S Ratio of 7.99 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.
NOW
15.70
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
NOW’s P/S Ratio of 15.70 is in the upper echelon for the Software 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GOOGL
5.91
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.71
- Q3
- 9.00
- Median
- 3.97
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 0.33
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.
NOW
19.48
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
NOW’s P/B Ratio of 19.48 is in the upper tier for the Software 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.68 | 113.97 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.99 | 15.70 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.91 | 19.48 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 44.48 | 49.75 |