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

Updated on August 28, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	MSFT	VRSN
Company Name	Microsoft Corporation	VeriSign, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Software	IT Services
Market Capitalization	3,766.68 billion USD	25.44 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	March 13, 1986	January 30, 1998
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MSFT and VRSN 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. VRSN: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MSFT	VRSN
5-Day Price Return	0.50%	0.05%
13-Week Price Return	10.00%	1.04%
26-Week Price Return	24.14%	17.47%
52-Week Price Return	22.55%	50.07%
Month-to-Date Return	-5.02%	1.30%
Year-to-Date Return	20.22%	31.61%
10-Day Avg. Volume	23.10M	0.75M
3-Month Avg. Volume	20.68M	0.89M
3-Month Volatility	15.57%	29.78%
Beta	1.03	0.78

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.

VRSN

113.55%

IT Services Industry

Max: 29.51%
Q3: 16.98%
Median: 13.47%
Q1: 7.93%
Min: -3.97%

VRSN’s Return on Equity of 113.55% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the IT Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

MSFT vs. VRSN: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services 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.

VRSN

50.03%

IT Services Industry

Max: 19.82%
Q3: 11.49%
Median: 6.67%
Q1: 3.61%
Min: -4.62%

VRSN’s Net Profit Margin of 50.03% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the IT Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

MSFT vs. VRSN: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services 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.

VRSN

67.89%

IT Services Industry

Max: 21.69%
Q3: 14.50%
Median: 10.06%
Q1: 6.98%
Min: 0.06%

VRSN’s Operating Profit Margin of 67.89% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the IT Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MSFT	VRSN
Return on Equity (TTM)	32.44%	113.55%
Return on Assets (TTM)	18.20%	55.87%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	36.15%	50.03%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	45.29%	67.89%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	68.82%	87.88%

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.

VRSN

0.54

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.42
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.47
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.44

VRSN’s Current Ratio of 0.54 falls into the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

MSFT vs. VRSN: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services 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.

VRSN

1.07

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.33
Q3: 1.17
Median: 0.54
Q1: 0.15
Min: 0.00

VRSN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.07 is typical for the IT Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MSFT vs. VRSN: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services 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.

VRSN

27.96

IT Services Industry

Max: 144.50
Q3: 84.49
Median: 13.76
Q1: 2.59
Min: -28.13

VRSN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 27.96 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MSFT	VRSN
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.35	0.54
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.35	0.50
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.26	1.07
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	891.80	27.96

Growth

Revenue Growth

MSFT vs. VRSN: 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. VRSN: 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.

VRSN

0.00%

IT Services Industry

Max: 2.80%
Q3: 1.74%
Median: 0.62%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VRSN 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.

MSFT vs. VRSN: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services 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.

VRSN

0.00%

IT Services Industry

Max: 147.75%
Q3: 63.58%
Median: 24.63%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VRSN 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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MSFT	VRSN
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.64%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	23.65%	0.00%

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.

VRSN

31.73

IT Services Industry

Max: 41.55
Q3: 31.54
Median: 23.25
Q1: 18.12
Min: 6.57

A P/E Ratio of 31.73 places VRSN in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

MSFT vs. VRSN: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services 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.

VRSN

15.88

IT Services Industry

Max: 6.61
Q3: 4.37
Median: 2.02
Q1: 1.20
Min: 0.19

With a P/S Ratio of 15.88, VRSN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the IT Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

MSFT vs. VRSN: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and IT Services 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.

VRSN

11.17

IT Services Industry

Max: 11.19
Q3: 6.38
Median: 3.47
Q1: 2.31
Min: 0.96

VRSN’s P/B Ratio of 11.17 is in the upper tier for the IT 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.

MSFT vs. VRSN: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and IT Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MSFT	VRSN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	37.23	31.73
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	13.46	15.88
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	10.76	11.17
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	52.94	26.71