SAP vs. VRSN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at SAP and VRSN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
SAP trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, VRSN is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | SAP | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | SAP SE | VeriSign, Inc. |
| Country | Germany | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 314.74 billion USD | 24.88 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | September 18, 1995 | January 30, 1998 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of SAP and VRSN 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 | SAP | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.71% | -1.05% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -11.32% | -5.49% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -15.82% | 14.96% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 19.77% | 47.94% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -7.26% | -0.92% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -1.57% | 28.72% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.49M | 0.80M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.55M | 0.89M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 25.76% | 29.64% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.78 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
SAP
15.09%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
SAP’s Return on Equity of 15.09% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
VRSN
113.55%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 16.98%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 7.93%
- Min
- -3.97%
VRSN’s Return on Equity of 113.55% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the IT Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
SAP
18.23%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
SAP’s Net Profit Margin of 18.23% 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.
VRSN
50.03%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.82%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 3.61%
- Min
- -4.62%
VRSN’s Net Profit Margin of 50.03% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the IT Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
SAP
25.13%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.13% places SAP in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
VRSN
67.89%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 21.69%
- Q3
- 14.50%
- Median
- 10.06%
- Q1
- 6.98%
- Min
- 0.06%
VRSN’s Operating Profit Margin of 67.89% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the IT Services 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 | SAP | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 15.09% | 113.55% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.09% | 55.87% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.23% | 50.03% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.13% | 67.89% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 73.80% | 87.88% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
SAP
1.03
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
SAP’s Current Ratio of 1.03 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
VRSN
0.54
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.42
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.44
VRSN’s Current Ratio of 0.54 falls into the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
SAP
0.21
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
SAP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 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.
VRSN
1.07
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
VRSN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.07 is typical for the IT Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
SAP
32.64
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
SAP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.64 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
VRSN
27.96
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 144.50
- Q3
- 84.49
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 2.59
- Min
- -28.13
VRSN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 27.96 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | SAP | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.54 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.50 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.21 | 1.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 32.64 | 27.96 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
SAP
0.99%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAP’s Dividend Yield of 0.99% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
VRSN
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.74%
- Median
- 0.62%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VRSN 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)
SAP
161.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 161.64%, SAP’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
VRSN
0.00%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 147.75%
- Q3
- 63.58%
- Median
- 24.63%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VRSN 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | SAP | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.99% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 161.64% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
SAP
42.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
SAP’s P/E Ratio of 42.26 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
VRSN
31.73
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
A P/E Ratio of 31.73 places VRSN in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
SAP
7.70
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
SAP’s P/S Ratio of 7.70 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
VRSN
15.88
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 15.88, VRSN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the IT Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
SAP
7.74
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
SAP’s P/B Ratio of 7.74 is within the conventional range for the Software 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.
VRSN
11.17
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
VRSN’s P/B Ratio of 11.17 is in the upper tier for the IT Services 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | SAP | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 42.26 | 31.73 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.70 | 15.88 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.74 | 11.17 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 37.81 | 26.71 |