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

Updated on August 24, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	NOW	WDC
Company Name	ServiceNow, Inc.	Western Digital Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Software	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Market Capitalization	184.74 billion USD	26.24 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	June 29, 2012	October 31, 1978
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WDC
5-Day Price Return	4.63%	-0.79%
13-Week Price Return	-13.21%	49.13%
26-Week Price Return	-10.03%	48.17%
52-Week Price Return	6.89%	53.77%
Month-to-Date Return	-5.61%	-3.88%
Year-to-Date Return	-16.02%	67.87%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.27M	5.75M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.60M	6.77M
3-Month Volatility	26.69%	30.47%
Beta	0.94	1.73

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.

WDC

21.49%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 47.24%
Q3: 29.40%
Median: 9.11%
Q1: 6.06%
Min: -0.79%

WDC’s Return on Equity of 21.49% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.

WDC

14.23%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 13.86%
Q3: 8.17%
Median: 4.62%
Q1: 3.65%
Min: -0.21%

WDC’s Net Profit Margin of 14.23% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.

WDC

22.10%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 17.80%
Q3: 10.33%
Median: 6.31%
Q1: 4.86%
Min: 2.53%

WDC’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.10% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WDC
Return on Equity (TTM)	16.62%	21.49%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.12%	9.38%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.78%	14.23%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.28%	22.10%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	78.52%	38.00%

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.

WDC

1.08

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 2.47
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.40
Q1: 1.26
Min: 0.70

WDC’s Current Ratio of 1.08 falls into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.

WDC

0.85

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 1.47
Q3: 0.93
Median: 0.32
Q1: 0.19
Min: 0.00

WDC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.85 is typical for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.

WDC

2.04

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 204.63
Q3: 90.22
Median: 21.70
Q1: 6.79
Min: -23.93

In the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, WDC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.04 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WDC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	1.08
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	0.84
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	0.85
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	32.13	2.04

Growth

Revenue Growth

NOW vs. WDC: 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. WDC: 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.

WDC

0.00%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 4.50%
Q3: 3.66%
Median: 1.90%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WDC 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.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.

WDC

15.60%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 142.87%
Q3: 66.07%
Median: 42.79%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WDC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 15.60% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WDC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	15.60%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

WDC

13.66

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 43.16
Q3: 27.56
Median: 17.85
Q1: 12.48
Min: 6.21

WDC’s P/E Ratio of 13.66 is within the middle range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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. WDC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

WDC

1.94

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 4.27
Q3: 1.99
Median: 0.93
Q1: 0.45
Min: 0.04

WDC’s P/S Ratio of 1.94 aligns with the market consensus for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.

WDC

3.99

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 12.51
Q3: 6.11
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.01
Min: 0.31

WDC’s P/B Ratio of 3.99 is within the conventional range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.

NOW vs. WDC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WDC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	111.05	13.66
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	15.30	1.94
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	19.48	3.99
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	48.48	18.27