STN vs. ZTO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at STN and ZTO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
STN is a standard domestic listing, while ZTO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | STN | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Stantec Inc. | ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. |
| Country | Canada | China |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Construction & Engineering | Air Freight & Logistics |
| Market Capitalization | 12.43 billion USD | 15.23 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 5, 2005 | October 27, 2016 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of STN and ZTO 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 | STN | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.75% | 1.44% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -0.08% | 4.68% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 25.47% | -5.14% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 38.00% | 2.50% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.54% | 4.91% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 33.08% | -2.51% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.45M | 2.16M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.29M | 2.59M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.69% | 37.71% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.92 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
STN
15.34%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 26.79%
- Q3
- 16.47%
- Median
- 10.66%
- Q1
- 8.46%
- Min
- -1.86%
STN’s Return on Equity of 15.34% is on par with the norm for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
ZTO
13.99%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 35.27%
- Q3
- 18.63%
- Median
- 11.99%
- Q1
- 7.41%
- Min
- 2.11%
ZTO’s Return on Equity of 13.99% is on par with the norm for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
STN
7.10%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.67%
- Q3
- 6.13%
- Median
- 3.82%
- Q1
- 2.31%
- Min
- -2.77%
A Net Profit Margin of 7.10% places STN in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
ZTO
18.81%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 7.92%
- Q3
- 5.98%
- Median
- 4.11%
- Q1
- 2.45%
- Min
- 0.50%
ZTO’s Net Profit Margin of 18.81% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
STN
9.22%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.78%
- Q3
- 9.61%
- Median
- 6.19%
- Q1
- 3.73%
- Min
- -1.78%
STN’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.22% is around the midpoint for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
ZTO
23.34%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 11.33%
- Q3
- 8.19%
- Median
- 5.82%
- Q1
- 3.63%
- Min
- 1.06%
ZTO’s Operating Profit Margin of 23.34% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics 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 | STN | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 15.34% | 13.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.37% | 9.33% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.10% | 18.81% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.22% | 23.34% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.44% | 27.48% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
STN
1.29
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.50
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.65
STN’s Current Ratio of 1.29 aligns with the median group of the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
ZTO
1.21
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.73
- Q3
- 1.33
- Median
- 1.15
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.61
ZTO’s Current Ratio of 1.21 aligns with the median group of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
STN
0.69
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.37
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.31
- Min
- 0.00
STN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.69 is typical for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
ZTO
0.29
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.77
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, ZTO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.29 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
STN
60.60
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 36.37
- Q3
- 17.88
- Median
- 8.20
- Q1
- 4.98
- Min
- -6.49
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 60.60, STN demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
ZTO
--
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 49.07
- Q3
- 23.59
- Median
- 8.92
- Q1
- 6.34
- Min
- -0.60
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ZTO is currently unavailable.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | STN | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.29 | 1.21 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.26 | 1.02 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.69 | 0.29 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 60.60 | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
STN
0.57%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.80%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 2.22%
- Q1
- 0.21%
- Min
- 0.00%
STN’s Dividend Yield of 0.57% is consistent with its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ZTO
0.00%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 6.28%
- Q3
- 3.20%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.55%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZTO 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)
STN
22.30%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 139.17%
- Q3
- 74.39%
- Median
- 51.48%
- Q1
- 15.67%
- Min
- 0.00%
STN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.30% is within the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
ZTO
0.00%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 160.95%
- Q3
- 92.80%
- Median
- 60.17%
- Q1
- 4.60%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZTO 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 | STN | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.57% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.30% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
STN
39.20
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 41.00
- Q3
- 26.91
- Median
- 16.02
- Q1
- 13.49
- Min
- 1.65
A P/E Ratio of 39.20 places STN in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
ZTO
12.20
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 30.08
- Q3
- 23.03
- Median
- 18.40
- Q1
- 12.84
- Min
- 5.90
In the lower quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, ZTO’s P/E Ratio of 12.20 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
STN
2.78
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 0.71
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.11
STN’s P/S Ratio of 2.78 is in the upper echelon for the Construction & Engineering 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.
ZTO
2.29
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 2.29, ZTO trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
STN
4.38
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 7.96
- Q3
- 4.06
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.24
STN’s P/B Ratio of 4.38 is in the upper tier for the Construction & Engineering 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.
ZTO
1.59
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 5.68
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.80
ZTO’s P/B Ratio of 1.59 is within the conventional range for the Air Freight & Logistics 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 | STN | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 39.20 | 12.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.78 | 2.29 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.38 | 1.59 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 27.29 | 10.17 |