Seek Returns logo

MSFT vs. NTES: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on

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

Company Profile

MSFT is a standard domestic listing, while NTES trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

SymbolMSFTNTES
Company NameMicrosoft CorporationNetEase, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesChina
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyCommunication Services
GICS IndustrySoftwareEntertainment
Market Capitalization3,759.10 billion USD83.01 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNasdaqGS
Listing DateMarch 13, 1986June 30, 2000
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MSFT and NTES 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolMSFTNTES
5-Day Price Return-3.21%0.66%
13-Week Price Return10.21%9.59%
26-Week Price Return23.18%24.53%
52-Week Price Return19.97%41.03%
Month-to-Date Return-5.21%0.17%
Year-to-Date Return19.98%46.31%
10-Day Avg. Volume20.86M1.03M
3-Month Avg. Volume20.58M1.02M
3-Month Volatility15.87%24.86%
Beta1.040.66

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

NTES

24.25%

Entertainment Industry

Max
42.50%
Q3
22.75%
Median
12.88%
Q1
7.15%
Min
-6.84%

In the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry, NTES’s Return on Equity of 24.25% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

NTES

31.19%

Entertainment Industry

Max
45.25%
Q3
23.93%
Median
14.60%
Q1
4.89%
Min
-22.94%

A Net Profit Margin of 31.19% places NTES in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

NTES

31.43%

Entertainment Industry

Max
46.83%
Q3
28.87%
Median
15.26%
Q1
8.95%
Min
-5.53%

An Operating Profit Margin of 31.43% places NTES in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolMSFTNTES
Return on Equity (TTM)32.44%24.25%
Return on Assets (TTM)18.20%17.31%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)36.15%31.19%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)45.29%31.43%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)68.82%63.17%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NTES

3.23

Entertainment Industry

Max
6.80
Q3
3.77
Median
1.87
Q1
0.86
Min
0.39

NTES’s Current Ratio of 3.23 aligns with the median group of the Entertainment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NTES

0.08

Entertainment Industry

Max
1.65
Q3
0.71
Median
0.14
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00

NTES’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 is typical for the Entertainment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

NTES

161.13

Entertainment Industry

Max
62.11
Q3
31.19
Median
7.50
Q1
2.02
Min
-6.33

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 161.13, NTES demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Entertainment industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolMSFTNTES
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.353.23
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.353.10
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.260.08
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)891.80161.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

MSFT vs. NTES: 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

MSFT vs. NTES: 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)

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.

NTES

2.18%

Entertainment Industry

Max
2.54%
Q3
1.29%
Median
0.61%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 2.18%, NTES offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Entertainment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

NTES

36.90%

Entertainment Industry

Max
82.30%
Q3
45.76%
Median
29.16%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NTES’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.90% is within the typical range for the Entertainment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolMSFTNTES
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.64%2.18%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)23.65%36.90%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

NTES

16.94

Entertainment Industry

Max
53.51
Q3
45.31
Median
33.16
Q1
18.21
Min
3.89

In the lower quartile for the Entertainment industry, NTES’s P/E Ratio of 16.94 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

NTES

5.28

Entertainment Industry

Max
12.81
Q3
7.20
Median
4.68
Q1
3.32
Min
0.79

NTES’s P/S Ratio of 5.28 aligns with the market consensus for the Entertainment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MSFT vs. NTES: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NTES

4.09

Entertainment Industry

Max
17.11
Q3
8.38
Median
5.24
Q1
2.18
Min
0.67

NTES’s P/B Ratio of 4.09 is within the conventional range for the Entertainment 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 vs. NTES: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolMSFTNTES
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)37.2316.94
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)13.465.28
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)10.764.09
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)52.9413.09