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PLTR vs. TSM: Palantir vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg Stock Comparison

How do Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) share the Information Technology sector but sit in different industry groups — PLTR in Software & Services and TSM in Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment.

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) has more than two decades of public-market history since October 9, 1997, whereas Palantir (PLTR) listed on September 30, 2020 and has a much shorter record to draw on.

Palantir (PLTR) trades as ordinary local shares, while Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
Profile ItemPLTRTSM
NamePalantir Technologies Inc. Class A Common StockTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesTaiwan
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSoftware & ServicesSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS IndustrySoftwareSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-IndustryApplication SoftwareSemiconductors
Market Capitalization386.44 billion USD1,947.21 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateSeptember 30, 2020October 9, 1997
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

PLTR
TSM
GSPC
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricPLTRTSM
Total Return (1Y)-4.94%37.26%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)109.97%64.12%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)47.47%28.19%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

PLTR
TSM
GSPC
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricPLTRTSM
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)60.50%41.69%
Beta (5Y)1.631.45
Max Drawdown (5Y)-75.26%-56.47%
Avg. Volume (3M)27.20M11.20M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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PLTR and TSM are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. Each dashed Capital Allocation Line uses that stock's own industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricPLTRTSM
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.150.79
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.241.15

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Palantir (PLTR) at 40.91% and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 41.86% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

40.91%

Max
53.85%
PLTR
40.91%
Q3
17.90%
Median
6.59%
Q1
-9.59%
Min
-50.52%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

41.86%

Max
52.82%
TSM
41.86%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their ROE against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

Net Margin (TTM)

Palantir (PLTR) at 50.34% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 51.12% also retains a top-quartile share.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

50.34%

PLTR
50.34%
Max
41.17%
Q3
15.28%
Median
4.63%
Q1
-5.42%
Min
-33.17%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

51.12%

Max
63.80%
TSM
51.12%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their net margin against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Palantir (PLTR) at 46.89% and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 58.66% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

46.89%

PLTR
46.89%
Max
46.89%
Q3
17.64%
Median
8.73%
Q1
-2.13%
Min
-30.45%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

58.66%

TSM
58.66%
Max
58.66%
Q3
30.23%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their operating margin against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricPLTRTSM
ROE (TTM)40.91%41.86%
ROA (TTM)19.31%20.58%
Net Margin (TTM)50.34%51.12%
Operating Margin (TTM)46.89%58.66%
Gross Margin (TTM)84.74%65.85%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both companies are growing quickly, but Palantir (PLTR) at 56.18% is the standout with revenue growth above its industry range; Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 31.61% also sits in the top quartile.

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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both companies show strong earnings momentum, but Palantir (PLTR) at 231.06% is the standout with EPS growth above its industry range; Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 46.41% also sits in the top quartile.

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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricPLTRTSM
Revenue Growth (YoY)56.18%31.61%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)32.92%18.94%
EPS Growth (YoY)231.06%46.41%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--19.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 2.51 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Palantir (PLTR) at 7.10 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

7.10

PLTR
7.10
Max
5.11
Q3
2.77
Median
1.67
Q1
1.01
Min
0.03

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.51

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
TSM
2.51
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their current ratio against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Palantir (PLTR) at 0.02 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 0.12 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

0.02

Max
2.52
Q3
1.13
Median
0.40
Q1
0.07
PLTR
0.02
Min
0.00

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.12

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
TSM
0.12
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricPLTRTSM
Current Ratio (MRQ)7.102.51
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.020.12
Net Debt / EBITDA-3.08-0.89

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Palantir (PLTR) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) reports a yield of 1.70%, ranking against industry peers normally.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

PLTR
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.70%

TSM
1.70%
Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their dividend yield against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Palantir (PLTR) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) reports a payout of 24.46%, ranking against industry peers normally.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

PLTR
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

24.46%

Max
49.64%
TSM
24.46%
Q3
21.71%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their payout ratio against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricPLTRTSM
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%1.70%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%24.46%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 24.33 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Palantir (PLTR) at 112.94 sits in the richer quartile — PLTR needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

112.94

PLTR
112.94
Max
112.94
Q3
60.32
Median
32.91
Q1
18.77
Min
6.69

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

24.33

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
TSM
24.33
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/E ratio against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 0.39 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Palantir (PLTR) at 53.02 prices above its industry range — a wide gap in sales valuation between them.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

53.02

PLTR
53.02
Max
17.91
Q3
8.78
Median
4.25
Q1
2.23
Min
0.02

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.39

Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
TSM
0.39
Min
0.00
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/S ratio against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Measured against book value, both Palantir (PLTR) at 34.41 and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 71.65 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.

PLTR

Software & Services industry group

34.41

PLTR
34.41
Max
16.63
Q3
8.50
Median
4.30
Q1
1.92
Min
-3.90

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

71.65

TSM
71.65
Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20
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Palantir (PLTR) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/B ratio against their respective Software & Services and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmarks.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Palantir (PLTR) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricPLTRTSM
P/E Ratio (TTM)112.9424.33
P/S Ratio (TTM)53.020.39
P/B Ratio (MRQ)34.4171.65
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)0.69%61.78%