NOK vs. NOW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 25, 2025

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

Company Profile

NOK trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, NOW is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	NOK	NOW
Company Name	Nokia Oyj	ServiceNow, Inc.
Country	Finland	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Communications Equipment	Software
Market Capitalization	23.18 billion USD	184.74 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	July 1, 1994	June 29, 2012
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NOK and NOW 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NOK	NOW
5-Day Price Return	2.59%	4.63%
13-Week Price Return	-21.98%	-13.21%
26-Week Price Return	-22.82%	-10.03%
52-Week Price Return	-1.47%	6.89%
Month-to-Date Return	2.70%	-5.61%
Year-to-Date Return	-13.79%	-16.02%
10-Day Avg. Volume	7.16M	2.27M
3-Month Avg. Volume	9.35M	1.60M
3-Month Volatility	29.91%	26.69%
Beta	0.81	0.94

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NOK

5.01%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 32.05%
Q3: 19.58%
Median: 11.77%
Q1: 2.23%
Min: -11.93%

NOK’s Return on Equity of 5.01% is on par with the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NOW

16.62%

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

NOW’s Return on Equity of 16.62% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NOK

5.31%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 23.65%
Q3: 14.32%
Median: 5.31%
Q1: 1.45%
Min: -12.72%

NOK’s Net Profit Margin of 5.31% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NOW

13.78%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

NOW’s Net Profit Margin of 13.78% 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.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NOK

6.21%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 42.27%
Q3: 18.90%
Median: 6.21%
Q1: 2.97%
Min: -20.72%

NOK’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.21% is around the midpoint for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NOW

13.28%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

NOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.28% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NOK	NOW
Return on Equity (TTM)	5.01%	16.62%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.68%	8.12%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	5.31%	13.78%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	6.21%	13.28%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	44.23%	78.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NOK

1.46

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.72
Q3: 1.72
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.18
Min: 0.93

NOK’s Current Ratio of 1.46 aligns with the median group of the Communications Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

NOW

1.09

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

NOW’s Current Ratio of 1.09 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NOK

0.21

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.55
Q3: 0.92
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, NOK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

NOW

0.14

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

NOW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.14 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.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NOK

34.19

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 181.73
Q3: 113.63
Median: 7.59
Q1: 3.82
Min: -5.39

NOK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 34.19 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

NOW

32.13

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

NOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.13 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NOK	NOW
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.46	1.09
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.21	0.99
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.21	0.14
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	34.19	32.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

NOK vs. NOW: 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

NOK vs. NOW: 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)

NOK

3.61%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 3.88%
Q3: 2.75%
Median: 0.93%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 3.61%, NOK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 0.08%
Q3: 0.03%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOW 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.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NOK

50.74%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 111.16%
Q3: 55.91%
Median: 28.42%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 50.74% is within the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 1.32%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOW 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.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NOK	NOW
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.61%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	50.74%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NOK

19.25

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 57.30
Q3: 47.92
Median: 27.50
Q1: 17.89
Min: 13.89

NOK’s P/E Ratio of 19.25 is within the middle range for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

NOW

111.05

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

A P/E Ratio of 111.05 places NOW in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NOK

1.02

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 11.03
Q3: 5.53
Median: 2.20
Q1: 0.99
Min: 0.40

NOK’s P/S Ratio of 1.02 aligns with the market consensus for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

NOW

15.30

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

NOW’s P/S Ratio of 15.30 is in the upper echelon for the Software industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NOK

1.21

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 9.66
Q3: 5.60
Median: 3.73
Q1: 2.67
Min: 0.30

NOK’s P/B Ratio of 1.21 is in the lower quartile for the Communications Equipment 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.

NOW

19.48

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

NOW’s P/B Ratio of 19.48 is in the upper tier for the Software 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.

NOK vs. NOW: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NOK	NOW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	19.25	111.05
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.02	15.30
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.21	19.48
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	13.27	48.48