HSBC vs. SAP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 7, 2025

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

Company Profile

Both HSBC and SAP are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.

Symbol	HSBC	SAP
Company Name	HSBC Holdings plc	SAP SE
Country	United Kingdom	Germany
GICS Sector	Financials	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Banks	Software
Market Capitalization	249.03 billion USD	315.54 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	July 16, 1999	September 18, 1995
Security Type	ADR	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of HSBC and SAP 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	HSBC	SAP
5-Day Price Return	0.46%	2.04%
13-Week Price Return	17.95%	-11.87%
26-Week Price Return	17.87%	-7.61%
52-Week Price Return	50.85%	14.90%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.13%	0.99%
Year-to-Date Return	32.89%	-2.60%
10-Day Avg. Volume	19.19M	1.32M
3-Month Avg. Volume	14.38M	1.48M
3-Month Volatility	15.52%	29.37%
Beta	1.57	0.99

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

HSBC

13.86%

Banks Industry

Max: 25.40%
Q3: 15.55%
Median: 12.00%
Q1: 8.98%
Min: -0.10%

HSBC’s Return on Equity of 13.86% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

SAP

15.09%

Software Industry

Max: 66.28%
Q3: 21.28%
Median: 9.33%
Q1: -8.77%
Min: -48.16%

SAP’s Return on Equity of 15.09% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

HSBC

34.16%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.73%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.56%
Min: 6.98%

HSBC’s Net Profit Margin of 34.16% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Banks industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

SAP

18.23%

Software Industry

Max: 51.92%
Q3: 19.23%
Median: 6.98%
Q1: -7.14%
Min: -41.00%

SAP’s Net Profit Margin of 18.23% 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.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

HSBC

40.44%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.73%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 12.28%

HSBC’s Operating Profit Margin of 40.44% is around the midpoint for the Banks industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

SAP

25.13%

Software Industry

Max: 60.40%
Q3: 21.25%
Median: 9.90%
Q1: -4.97%
Min: -43.50%

An Operating Profit Margin of 25.13% places SAP 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.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	HSBC	SAP
Return on Equity (TTM)	13.86%	15.09%
Return on Assets (TTM)	0.85%	9.09%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	34.16%	18.23%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	40.44%	25.13%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	73.80%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

HSBC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

SAP

1.03

Software Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 2.37
Median: 1.40
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.25

SAP’s Current Ratio of 1.03 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

HSBC

1.91

Banks Industry

Max: 5.78
Q3: 2.66
Median: 1.05
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

SAP

0.21

Software Industry

Max: 2.16
Q3: 0.86
Median: 0.31
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

SAP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 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.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

HSBC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

SAP

32.64

Software Industry

Max: 89.65
Q3: 32.64
Median: 1.00
Q1: -9.84
Min: -71.23

SAP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.64 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	HSBC	SAP
Current Ratio (MRQ)	--	1.03
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	--	1.03
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.91	0.21
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	--	32.64

Growth

Revenue Growth

HSBC vs. SAP: 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

HSBC vs. SAP: 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)

HSBC

5.61%

Banks Industry

Max: 11.03%
Q3: 6.00%
Median: 3.87%
Q1: 2.41%
Min: 0.00%

HSBC’s Dividend Yield of 5.61% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SAP

1.01%

Software Industry

Max: 0.22%
Q3: 0.11%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

SAP’s Dividend Yield of 1.01% 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.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

HSBC

71.79%

Banks Industry

Max: 134.24%
Q3: 79.39%
Median: 55.09%
Q1: 36.09%
Min: 0.00%

HSBC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 71.79% is within the typical range for the Banks industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

SAP

161.64%

Software Industry

Max: 3.29%
Q3: 2.41%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

At 161.64%, SAP’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.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	HSBC	SAP
Dividend Yield (TTM)	5.61%	1.01%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	71.79%	161.64%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

HSBC

9.23

Banks Industry

Max: 22.69
Q3: 13.75
Median: 10.32
Q1: 7.73
Min: 2.59

HSBC’s P/E Ratio of 9.23 is within the middle range for the Banks industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

SAP

41.41

Software Industry

Max: 145.74
Q3: 94.88
Median: 45.35
Q1: 26.66
Min: 8.80

SAP’s P/E Ratio of 41.41 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.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

HSBC

1.74

Banks Industry

Max: 4.90
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

SAP

7.55

Software Industry

Max: 25.67
Q3: 13.68
Median: 8.28
Q1: 4.95
Min: 0.90

SAP’s P/S Ratio of 7.55 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.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

HSBC

1.08

Banks Industry

Max: 2.09
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.11
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.29

HSBC’s P/B Ratio of 1.08 is within the conventional range for the Banks 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.

SAP

7.74

Software Industry

Max: 30.67
Q3: 14.92
Median: 8.52
Q1: 3.89
Min: 0.38

SAP’s P/B Ratio of 7.74 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.

HSBC vs. SAP: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Software industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	HSBC	SAP
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	9.23	41.41
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.74	7.55
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.08	7.74
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	5.09	37.05