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

Updated on August 18, 2025

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

Company Profile

NOW is a standard domestic stock, while STM trades as New York Registered Shares, providing U.S. investors with a way to invest in the foreign-based company.

Symbol	NOW	STM
Company Name	ServiceNow, Inc.	STMicroelectronics N.V.
Country	United States	Netherlands
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Software	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
Market Capitalization	179.15 billion USD	23.36 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 29, 2012	December 8, 1994
Security Type	Common Stock	NY Reg Shrs

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	STM
5-Day Price Return	-1.24%	5.23%
13-Week Price Return	-15.00%	-3.76%
26-Week Price Return	-15.64%	3.13%
52-Week Price Return	7.03%	-19.33%
Month-to-Date Return	-8.46%	-0.18%
Year-to-Date Return	-18.57%	-7.66%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.01M	2.27M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.63M	2.86M
3-Month Volatility	27.13%	50.73%
Beta	0.93	1.37

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

STM

10.96%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 52.74%
Q3: 23.49%
Median: 11.60%
Q1: 3.23%
Min: -20.69%

STM’s Return on Equity of 10.96% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

STM

6.92%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 44.17%
Q3: 22.38%
Median: 11.95%
Q1: 3.21%
Min: -25.16%

STM’s Net Profit Margin of 6.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

STM

5.20%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 58.03%
Q3: 27.84%
Median: 12.45%
Q1: 5.15%
Min: -28.61%

STM’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.20% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	STM
Return on Equity (TTM)	16.62%	10.96%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.12%	7.69%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.78%	6.92%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.28%	5.20%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	78.52%	34.89%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

STM

2.60

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 8.42
Q3: 4.70
Median: 2.75
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.04

STM’s Current Ratio of 2.60 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

STM

0.17

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.45
Median: 0.22
Q1: 0.01
Min: 0.00

STM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.17 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

STM

5.37

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 174.00
Q3: 81.10
Median: 27.22
Q1: 7.28
Min: -4.26

In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, STM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.37 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	STM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	2.60
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	1.93
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	0.17
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	32.13	5.37

Growth

Revenue Growth

NOW vs. STM: 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. STM: 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: 0.08%
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.

STM

1.22%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 4.16%
Q3: 1.78%
Median: 0.74%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

STM’s Dividend Yield of 1.22% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

STM

14.49%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 196.12%
Q3: 87.72%
Median: 26.57%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

STM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.49% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	STM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	1.22%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	14.49%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NOW

106.87

Software Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 106.87 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.

STM

28.76

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 109.37
Q3: 57.11
Median: 28.95
Q1: 22.13
Min: 11.14

STM’s P/E Ratio of 28.76 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor 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 vs. STM: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NOW

14.72

Software Industry

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

NOW’s P/S Ratio of 14.72 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.

STM

1.99

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 16.09
Q3: 10.10
Median: 4.82
Q1: 2.60
Min: 0.93

In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, STM’s P/S Ratio of 1.99 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

NOW vs. STM: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

STM

1.41

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 13.56
Q3: 6.75
Median: 3.68
Q1: 1.89
Min: 0.60

STM’s P/B Ratio of 1.41 is in the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor 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 vs. STM: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	STM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	106.87	28.76
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	14.72	1.99
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	19.48	1.41
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	46.65	262.01