META vs. PLTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at META and PLTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | META | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Palantir Technologies Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 1,868.41 billion USD | 421.26 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | May 18, 2012 | September 30, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of META and PLTR 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 | META | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -4.22% | 1.59% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -0.26% | 33.82% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 19.04% | 97.68% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 25.31% | 395.17% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.32% | 16.41% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 22.52% | 141.20% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 13.22M | 60.14M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 11.77M | 72.23M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.02% | 41.71% |
| Beta | 1.29 | 2.66 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
META
39.33%
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, META’s Return on Equity of 39.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PLTR
14.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
PLTR’s Return on Equity of 14.64% 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)
META
39.99%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.74%
- Q3
- 29.54%
- Median
- 20.53%
- Q1
- 7.52%
- Min
- -14.52%
A Net Profit Margin of 39.99% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
PLTR
22.18%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
A Net Profit Margin of 22.18% places PLTR 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)
META
44.02%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.82%
- Median
- 18.53%
- Q1
- 7.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 44.02% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
PLTR
16.55%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
PLTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.55% 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 | META | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 39.33% | 14.64% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 25.83% | 11.65% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.99% | 22.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.02% | 16.55% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.95% | 80.03% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
META
1.97
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.25
META’s Current Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
PLTR
6.32
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
PLTR’s Current Ratio of 6.32 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
META
0.15
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.85
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
META’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 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.
PLTR
0.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
PLTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 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)
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.65
- Q3
- 16.48
- Median
- 6.73
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -3.62
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 168.41, META demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
PLTR
-1.53
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
PLTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.53. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | META | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.97 | 6.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.71 | 6.19 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.15 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 168.41 | -1.53 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
META
0.28%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.07%
- Q3
- 1.27%
- Median
- 0.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.28% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR 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)
META
7.26%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 101.53%
- Q3
- 40.64%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.26% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR 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 | META | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.28% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 7.26% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
META
25.80
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.72
- Q3
- 41.60
- Median
- 25.84
- Q1
- 18.18
- Min
- 1.76
META’s P/E Ratio of 25.80 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.
PLTR
575.27
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
At 575.27, PLTR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Software industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
META
10.32
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.76
- Q3
- 11.40
- Median
- 7.69
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.00
META’s P/S Ratio of 10.32 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.
PLTR
127.62
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
With a P/S Ratio of 127.62, PLTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
META
9.51
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.71
- Q3
- 9.00
- Median
- 3.97
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 0.33
META’s P/B Ratio of 9.51 is in the upper tier for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
PLTR
54.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
At 54.26, PLTR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | META | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.80 | 575.27 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 10.32 | 127.62 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.51 | 54.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.79 | 256.98 |