MSTR vs. VRSN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MSTR and VRSN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MSTR | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Strategy Incorporated | VeriSign, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 110.56 billion USD | 24.99 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 11, 1998 | January 30, 1998 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MSTR 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | MSTR | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.01% | -2.37% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -3.70% | -4.32% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 19.80% | 21.49% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 196.59% | 52.99% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.98% | -0.51% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 34.62% | 29.25% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.42M | 1.17M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 13.43M | 0.92M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 51.00% | 29.70% |
| Beta | 3.93 | 0.78 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MSTR
18.10%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
MSTR’s Return on Equity of 18.10% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MSTR
1,036.61%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
MSTR’s Net Profit Margin of 1,036.61% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
MSTR
1,435.93%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
MSTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 1,435.93% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | MSTR | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 18.10% | 113.55% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.42% | 55.87% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1,036.61% | 50.03% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1,435.93% | 67.89% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 70.10% | 87.88% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MSTR
0.68
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
MSTR’s Current Ratio of 0.68 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
MSTR
0.16
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
MSTR
-30.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
MSTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -30.23. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | MSTR | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.68 | 0.54 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.50 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.16 | 1.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -30.23 | 27.96 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MSTR
0.05%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.05%, MSTR offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Software industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
MSTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSTR 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.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | MSTR | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MSTR
23.33
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, MSTR’s P/E Ratio of 23.33 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
VRSN
31.67
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
A P/E Ratio of 31.67 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
MSTR
241.87
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
With a P/S Ratio of 241.87, MSTR 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.
VRSN
15.84
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 15.84, 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
MSTR
2.25
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
MSTR’s P/B Ratio of 2.25 is in the lower quartile for the Software industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | MSTR | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.33 | 31.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 241.87 | 15.84 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.25 | 11.17 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 1,906.66 | 26.65 |