PLTR vs. ZM: Palantir vs. Zoom Communications Stock Comparison
How do Palantir (PLTR) and Zoom Communications (ZM) 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 Zoom Communications (ZM) are both classified in the Application Software sub-industry within the broader Software industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Palantir Technologies Inc. Class A Common Stock | Zoom Communications, Inc. Class A Common Stock |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Software & Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | Software | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Application Software | Application Software |
| Market Capitalization | 386.44 billion USD | 26.23 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | September 30, 2020 | April 18, 2019 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -4.94% | 12.58% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 109.97% | 14.89% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 47.47% | -18.67% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 60.50% | 45.03% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.63 | 0.99 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -75.26% | -79.08% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 27.20M | 2.88M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.15 | 0.18 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.24 | 0.28 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Palantir (PLTR) at 40.91% and Zoom Communications (ZM) at 32.14% 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%
ZM
Software & Services industry group
32.14%
- Max
- 53.85%
- ZM
- 32.14%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Palantir (PLTR) at 50.34% and Zoom Communications (ZM) at 65.19% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
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%
ZM
Software & Services industry group
65.19%
- ZM
- 65.19%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Palantir (PLTR) at 46.89% and Zoom Communications (ZM) at 24.61% 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%
ZM
Software & Services industry group
24.61%
- Max
- 46.89%
- ZM
- 24.61%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 40.91% | 32.14% |
| ROA (TTM) | 19.31% | 6.11% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 50.34% | 65.19% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 46.89% | 24.61% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 84.74% | 77.66% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Palantir (PLTR) at 56.18% delivers above-range revenue growth, while Zoom Communications (ZM) at 4.36% falls into the bottom quartile — a wide split in revenue momentum.
EPS Growth
Both companies show strong earnings momentum, but Palantir (PLTR) at 231.06% is the standout with EPS growth above its industry range; Zoom Communications (ZM) at 92.52% also sits in the top quartile.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 56.18% | 4.36% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 32.92% | 3.49% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 231.06% | 92.52% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 162.93% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Palantir (PLTR) at 7.10 and Zoom Communications (ZM) at 3.83 post current ratio above their industries’ typical mid-ranges — short-term liquidity appears comfortable, though unusually high readings can point to idle current assets.
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
ZM
Software & Services industry group
3.83
- Max
- 5.11
- ZM
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both Palantir (PLTR) at 0.02 and Zoom Communications (ZM) at 0.01 keep leverage in the lower quartile of their industries, with less balance-sheet debt relative to equity than most peers.
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
ZM
Software & Services industry group
0.01
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- ZM
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 7.10 | 3.83 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -3.08 | -5.39 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Palantir (PLTR) nor Zoom Communications (ZM) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
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%
ZM
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- ZM
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Palantir (PLTR) nor Zoom Communications (ZM) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
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%
ZM
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- ZM
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Zoom Communications (ZM) at 8.34 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Palantir (PLTR) at 112.94 sits in the richer quartile — a clear split in what investors pay for each dollar of trailing earnings.
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
ZM
Software & Services industry group
8.34
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- ZM
- 8.34
- Min
- 6.69
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Zoom Communications (ZM) at 5.25 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Palantir (PLTR) at 53.02 clears its benchmark range — PLTR looks notably rich on sales.
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
ZM
Software & Services industry group
5.25
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- ZM
- 5.25
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Zoom Communications (ZM) at 2.32 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Palantir (PLTR) at 34.41 prices above its benchmark range — PLTR looks rich relative to book.
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
ZM
Software & Services industry group
2.32
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- ZM
- 2.32
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | ZM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 112.94 | 8.34 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 53.02 | 5.25 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 34.41 | 2.32 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 0.69% | 7.53% |