PLTR vs. WDC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at PLTR and WDC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | PLTR | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Palantir Technologies Inc. | Western Digital Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 435.47 billion USD | 41.54 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | September 30, 2020 | October 31, 1978 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of PLTR 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | PLTR | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.87% | -7.68% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 28.25% | 87.47% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 119.57% | 254.85% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 372.00% | 141.38% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.62% | 0.93% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 142.71% | 168.94% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 53.67M | 11.81M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 69.96M | 7.78M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 43.08% | 44.10% |
| Beta | 1.50 | 1.84 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
PLTR
14.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
PLTR’s Return on Equity of 14.64% 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
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 27.52%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -1.04%
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
PLTR
22.18%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
A Net Profit Margin of 22.18% places PLTR in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
WDC
14.23%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 16.15%
- Q3
- 7.95%
- Median
- 4.80%
- Q1
- 2.20%
- Min
- -0.29%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.23% places WDC in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
PLTR
16.55%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
PLTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.55% 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
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.74%
- Median
- 6.27%
- Q1
- 4.07%
- Min
- 1.97%
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | PLTR | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.64% | 21.49% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.65% | 9.38% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.18% | 14.23% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.55% | 22.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 80.03% | 38.00% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
PLTR
6.32
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
PLTR’s Current Ratio of 6.32 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
WDC
1.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.04
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.11
WDC’s Current Ratio of 1.08 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
PLTR
0.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
PLTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 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
- 1.54
- Q3
- 0.85
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
WDC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.85. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
PLTR
-1.53
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
PLTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.53. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
WDC
2.04
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 76.01
- Median
- 19.47
- Q1
- 5.91
- 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | PLTR | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 6.32 | 1.08 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 6.19 | 0.84 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.00 | 0.85 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -1.53 | 2.04 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR 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
- 4.33%
- Q3
- 3.29%
- Median
- 1.76%
- 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR 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
- 77.17%
- Median
- 40.90%
- Q1
- 3.87%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | PLTR | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 15.60% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
PLTR
568.75
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
At 568.75, PLTR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Software industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
WDC
22.31
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.10
- Q3
- 28.67
- Median
- 19.23
- Q1
- 15.53
- Min
- 9.46
WDC’s P/E Ratio of 22.31 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
PLTR
126.18
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
With a P/S Ratio of 126.18, PLTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
WDC
3.17
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.04
WDC’s P/S Ratio of 3.17 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
PLTR
54.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
At 54.26, PLTR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
WDC
3.99
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 6.87
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | PLTR | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 568.75 | 22.31 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 126.18 | 3.17 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 54.26 | 3.99 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 254.06 | 29.85 |