STX vs. ZS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at STX and ZS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | STX | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Seagate Technology Holdings plc | Zscaler, Inc. |
| Country | Singapore | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 47.78 billion USD | 49.69 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 11, 2002 | March 16, 2018 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of STX and ZS 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 | STX | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -11.93% | 2.05% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 57.98% | -0.82% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 213.64% | 63.31% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 111.39% | 82.36% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.96% | 4.75% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 159.94% | 73.99% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.59M | 1.47M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.08M | 1.91M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 42.60% | 32.62% |
| Beta | 1.63 | 1.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
STX
398.07%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 27.52%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -1.04%
STX’s Return on Equity of 398.07% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
ZS
-2.50%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
ZS has a negative Return on Equity of -2.50%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
STX
16.15%
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 16.15% places STX in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
ZS
-1.55%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
ZS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -1.55%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
STX
20.88%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.74%
- Median
- 6.27%
- Q1
- 4.07%
- Min
- 1.97%
STX’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.88% 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.
ZS
-4.81%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
ZS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.81%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | STX | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 398.07% | -2.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 18.64% | -0.77% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.15% | -1.55% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.88% | -4.81% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.32% | 76.87% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
STX
1.38
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.04
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.11
STX’s Current Ratio of 1.38 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.
ZS
2.01
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
ZS’s Current Ratio of 2.01 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
STX
51.80
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.54
- Q3
- 0.85
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 51.80, STX operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
ZS
0.95
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
ZS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Software industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.95. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
STX
6.11
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 76.01
- Median
- 19.47
- Q1
- 5.91
- Min
- -23.93
STX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.11 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
ZS
-6.38
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
ZS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -6.38. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | STX | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.38 | 2.01 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.84 | 1.96 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 51.80 | 0.95 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.11 | -6.38 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
STX
1.26%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.33%
- Q3
- 3.29%
- Median
- 1.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STX’s Dividend Yield of 1.26% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ZS
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZS 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)
STX
40.84%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 77.17%
- Median
- 40.90%
- Q1
- 3.87%
- Min
- 0.00%
STX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.84% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
ZS
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZS 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 | STX | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.26% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 40.84% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
STX
32.53
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.10
- Q3
- 28.67
- Median
- 19.23
- Q1
- 15.53
- Min
- 9.46
A P/E Ratio of 32.53 places STX in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
ZS
--
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
P/E Ratio data for ZS is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
STX
5.25
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.04
STX’s P/S Ratio of 5.25 is in the upper echelon for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.
ZS
18.21
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
ZS’s P/S Ratio of 18.21 is in the upper echelon for the Software 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
STX
136.18
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 6.87
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
At 136.18, STX’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.
ZS
24.71
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
ZS’s P/B Ratio of 24.71 is in the upper tier for the Software 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 | STX | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 32.53 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.25 | 18.21 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 136.18 | 24.71 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 58.41 | 67.00 |