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

Updated on August 26, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	NOW	WMT
Company Name	ServiceNow, Inc.	Walmart Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Consumer Staples
GICS Industry	Software	Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail
Market Capitalization	182.60 billion USD	766.68 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 29, 2012	August 25, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WMT
5-Day Price Return	-0.77%	-5.15%
13-Week Price Return	-13.37%	0.15%
26-Week Price Return	-10.86%	-7.63%
52-Week Price Return	7.19%	27.11%
Month-to-Date Return	-6.70%	-1.95%
Year-to-Date Return	-17.00%	6.33%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.87M	21.24M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.57M	16.95M
3-Month Volatility	26.85%	18.84%
Beta	0.93	0.67

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.

WMT

21.67%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 34.20%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.70%
Q1: 5.18%
Min: -9.87%

In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, WMT’s Return on Equity of 21.67% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

2.75%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 7.16%
Q3: 3.87%
Median: 2.44%
Q1: 1.65%
Min: -0.70%

WMT’s Net Profit Margin of 2.75% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

4.33%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 9.42%
Q3: 5.29%
Median: 4.03%
Q1: 2.22%
Min: -1.85%

WMT’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.33% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WMT
Return on Equity (TTM)	16.62%	21.67%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.12%	7.23%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.78%	2.75%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.28%	4.33%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	78.52%	24.88%

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.

WMT

0.78

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 1.80
Q3: 1.25
Median: 0.97
Q1: 0.82
Min: 0.52

WMT’s Current Ratio of 0.78 falls into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

0.63

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 3.44
Q3: 1.56
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

WMT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 is typical for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

12.72

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 24.36
Q3: 14.71
Median: 6.25
Q1: 3.16
Min: -10.70

WMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WMT
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	0.78
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	0.18
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	0.63
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	32.13	12.72

Growth

Revenue Growth

NOW vs. WMT: 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. WMT: 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.

WMT

0.87%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 6.63%
Q3: 3.17%
Median: 1.35%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WMT’s Dividend Yield of 0.87% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

36.65%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 163.46%
Q3: 90.34%
Median: 52.13%
Q1: 20.46%
Min: 0.00%

WMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.65% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WMT
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.87%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	36.65%

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.

WMT

42.33

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 49.92
Q3: 31.34
Median: 23.38
Q1: 17.55
Min: 6.19

A P/E Ratio of 42.33 places WMT in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NOW vs. WMT: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

1.16

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 1.88
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.06

WMT’s P/S Ratio of 1.16 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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. WMT: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

9.29

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 9.74
Q3: 4.99
Median: 2.88
Q1: 1.77
Min: 0.46

WMT’s P/B Ratio of 9.29 is in the upper tier for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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. WMT: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	WMT
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	111.05	42.33
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	15.30	1.16
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	19.48	9.29
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	48.48	58.95