WDC vs. ZS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at WDC and ZS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | WDC | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Western Digital Corporation | Zscaler, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 26.24 billion USD | 42.63 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | October 31, 1978 | March 16, 2018 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of WDC 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 | WDC | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.79% | 1.04% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 49.13% | 8.41% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 48.17% | 27.45% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 53.77% | 40.05% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.88% | -4.12% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 67.87% | 51.77% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.75M | 1.36M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.77M | 2.22M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.47% | 33.64% |
| Beta | 1.73 | 1.07 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
WDC
21.49%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
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.
ZS
-2.54%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
ZS has a negative Return on Equity of -2.54%. 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)
WDC
14.23%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
WDC’s Net Profit Margin of 14.23% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
ZS
-1.52%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
ZS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -1.52%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
WDC
22.10%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
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.
ZS
-4.84%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
ZS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.84%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | WDC | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.49% | -2.54% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.38% | -0.78% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.23% | -1.52% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.10% | -4.84% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.00% | 77.38% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
WDC
1.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
WDC’s Current Ratio of 1.08 falls into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
ZS
1.24
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
ZS’s Current Ratio of 1.24 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)
WDC
0.85
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
WDC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.85 is typical for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
ZS
0.64
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
ZS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
WDC
2.04
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- 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.
ZS
-6.38
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
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 | WDC | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.08 | 1.24 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.84 | 1.20 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.85 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.04 | -6.38 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
WDC
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- 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.
ZS
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- 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)
WDC
15.60%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- 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.
ZS
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- 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 | WDC | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 15.60% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
WDC
13.66
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
WDC’s P/E Ratio of 13.66 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.
ZS
--
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
P/E Ratio data for ZS is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
WDC
1.94
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
WDC’s P/S Ratio of 1.94 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.
ZS
17.53
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
ZS’s P/S Ratio of 17.53 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)
WDC
3.99
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
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.
ZS
19.39
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
ZS’s P/B Ratio of 19.39 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 | WDC | ZS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 13.66 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.94 | 17.53 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.99 | 19.39 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.27 | 64.60 |