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

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

Company Profile

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

SymbolNOWSONY
Company NameServiceNow, Inc.Sony Group Corporation
CountryUnited StatesJapan
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyConsumer Discretionary
GICS IndustrySoftwareHousehold Durables
Market Capitalization194.24 billion USD175.85 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJune 29, 2012February 21, 1973
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NOW and SONY 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolNOWSONY
5-Day Price Return-0.67%3.35%
13-Week Price Return-9.83%15.95%
26-Week Price Return10.23%13.15%
52-Week Price Return2.02%13.72%
Month-to-Date Return-0.85%4.31%
Year-to-Date Return-13.93%26.42%
10-Day Avg. Volume1.53M17.73M
3-Month Avg. Volume1.50M13.63M
3-Month Volatility30.66%32.88%
Beta0.971.31

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NOW

16.62%

Software Industry

Max
66.28%
Q3
21.28%
Median
9.33%
Q1
-8.77%
Min
-48.16%

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.

SONY

14.17%

Household Durables Industry

Max
27.70%
Q3
17.40%
Median
12.87%
Q1
7.33%
Min
-5.50%

SONY’s Return on Equity of 14.17% is on par with the norm for the Household Durables industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NOW

13.78%

Software Industry

Max
51.92%
Q3
19.23%
Median
6.98%
Q1
-7.14%
Min
-41.00%

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.

SONY

9.13%

Household Durables Industry

Max
16.37%
Q3
9.18%
Median
6.63%
Q1
3.85%
Min
-3.29%

SONY’s Net Profit Margin of 9.13% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Household Durables industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NOW

13.28%

Software Industry

Max
60.40%
Q3
21.25%
Median
9.90%
Q1
-4.97%
Min
-43.50%

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.

SONY

11.68%

Household Durables Industry

Max
21.32%
Q3
12.25%
Median
9.93%
Q1
5.57%
Min
-1.07%

SONY’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.68% is around the midpoint for the Household Durables industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolNOWSONY
Return on Equity (TTM)16.62%14.17%
Return on Assets (TTM)8.12%3.26%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)13.78%9.13%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)13.28%11.68%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)78.52%31.29%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NOW

1.09

Software Industry

Max
4.29
Q3
2.37
Median
1.40
Q1
1.03
Min
0.25

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.

SONY

1.09

Household Durables Industry

Max
6.09
Q3
3.79
Median
2.54
Q1
1.23
Min
0.83

SONY’s Current Ratio of 1.09 falls into the lower quartile for the Household Durables industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NOW

0.14

Software Industry

Max
2.16
Q3
0.86
Median
0.31
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.

SONY

0.19

Household Durables Industry

Max
1.89
Q3
0.87
Median
0.34
Q1
0.19
Min
0.00

SONY’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19 is typical for the Household Durables industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NOW

32.13

Software Industry

Max
89.65
Q3
32.64
Median
1.00
Q1
-9.84
Min
-71.23

NOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.13 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

SONY

104.18

Household Durables Industry

Max
140.40
Q3
77.14
Median
24.53
Q1
5.69
Min
-17.01

SONY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 104.18 is in the upper quartile for the Household Durables industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolNOWSONY
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.091.09
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.991.03
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.140.19
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)32.13104.18

Growth

Revenue Growth

NOW vs. SONY: 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

NOW vs. SONY: 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)

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
0.22%
Q3
0.11%
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.

SONY

0.46%

Household Durables Industry

Max
9.61%
Q3
3.97%
Median
2.00%
Q1
0.18%
Min
0.00%

SONY’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is consistent with its peers in the Household Durables industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
3.29%
Q3
2.41%
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.

SONY

10.52%

Household Durables Industry

Max
129.55%
Q3
65.55%
Median
42.15%
Q1
6.45%
Min
0.00%

SONY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.52% is within the typical range for the Household Durables industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolNOWSONY
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.46%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%10.52%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NOW

115.24

Software Industry

Max
145.74
Q3
94.88
Median
45.35
Q1
26.66
Min
8.80

A P/E Ratio of 115.24 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.

SONY

22.69

Household Durables Industry

Max
33.67
Q3
19.33
Median
12.58
Q1
9.62
Min
6.48

A P/E Ratio of 22.69 places SONY in the upper quartile for the Household Durables industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NOW

15.88

Software Industry

Max
25.67
Q3
13.68
Median
8.28
Q1
4.95
Min
0.90

NOW’s P/S Ratio of 15.88 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.

SONY

2.07

Household Durables Industry

Max
2.54
Q3
1.39
Median
0.90
Q1
0.54
Min
0.19

SONY’s P/S Ratio of 2.07 is in the upper echelon for the Household Durables 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.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NOW

19.48

Software Industry

Max
30.67
Q3
14.92
Median
8.52
Q1
3.89
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.

SONY

2.77

Household Durables Industry

Max
3.26
Q3
2.01
Median
1.38
Q1
1.00
Min
0.58

SONY’s P/B Ratio of 2.77 is in the upper tier for the Household Durables 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.

NOW vs. SONY: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Household Durables industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolNOWSONY
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)115.2422.69
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)15.882.07
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)19.482.77
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)50.3112.93