Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK) vs. Zeta Global (NYSE:ZETA) Financial Contrast
by Tristan Rich · The Markets DailyAutodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK – Get Free Report) and Zeta Global (NYSE:ZETA – Get Free Report) are both technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.
Profitability
This table compares Autodesk and Zeta Global’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Autodesk | 21.08% | 58.63% | 15.10% |
| Zeta Global | -0.15% | 5.32% | 3.15% |
Volatility and Risk
Autodesk has a beta of 1.31, meaning that its stock price is 31% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Zeta Global has a beta of 1.43, meaning that its stock price is 43% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Institutional and Insider Ownership
90.2% of Autodesk shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 87.7% of Zeta Global shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Autodesk shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 10.7% of Zeta Global shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Earnings & Valuation
This table compares Autodesk and Zeta Global”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Autodesk | $7.79 billion | 5.86 | $1.12 billion | $7.73 | 28.25 |
| Zeta Global | $1.30 billion | 5.83 | -$31.51 million | ($0.02) | -1,515.10 |
Autodesk has higher revenue and earnings than Zeta Global. Zeta Global is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Autodesk, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Autodesk and Zeta Global, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Autodesk | 0 | 6 | 25 | 1 | 2.84 |
| Zeta Global | 1 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 2.64 |
Autodesk presently has a consensus price target of $318.03, indicating a potential upside of 45.61%. Zeta Global has a consensus price target of $30.77, indicating a potential upside of 1.54%. Given Autodesk’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Autodesk is more favorable than Zeta Global.
Summary
Autodesk beats Zeta Global on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. provides 3D design, engineering, and entertainment technology solutions worldwide. The company offers AutoCAD Civil 3D, a surveying, design, analysis, and documentation solution for civil engineering, including land development, transportation, and environmental projects; BuildingConnected, a SaaS preconstruction solution; AutoCAD, a software for professional design, drafting, detailing, and visualization; AutoCAD LT, a drafting and detailing software; computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software for computer numeric control machining, inspection, and modelling for manufacturing; Fusion 360, a 3D CAD, CAM, and computer-aided engineering tool; and Industry Collections tools for professionals in architecture, engineering and construction, product design and manufacturing, and media and entertainment collection industries. It also provides Inventor tools for 3D mechanical design, simulation, analysis, tooling, visualization, and documentation; Vault, a data management software to manage data in one central location, accelerate design processes, and streamline internal/external collaboration; Maya and 3ds Max software products that offer 3D modeling, animation, effects, rendering, and compositing solutions; and ShotGrid, a cloud-based software for review and production tracking in the media and entertainment industry. It sells its products and services to customers directly, as well as through a network of resellers and distributors. Autodesk, Inc. was incorporated in 1982 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
About Zeta Global
Zeta Global Holdings Corp. operates an omnichannel data-driven cloud platform that provides enterprises with consumer intelligence and marketing automation software in the United States and internationally. The company’s Zeta Marketing Platform analyzes billions of structured and unstructured data points to predict consumer intent by leveraging sophisticated machine learning algorithms and the industry’s opted-in data set for omnichannel marketing; and Consumer Data platform ingests, analyzes, and distills disparate data points to generate a single view of a consumer, encompassing identity, profile characteristics, behaviors, and purchase intent. It also offers various types of product suites, such as agile intelligence suite, which synthesizes Zeta’s data and data generated by its customers to uncover consumer insights that are translated into marketing programs; and CDP, which helps in consolidating multiple databases and internal and external data feeds and organize data based on needs and performance metrics. Zeta Global Holdings Corp. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in New York, New York.