Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Box, Inc. (BOX) vs Oracle Corporation (ORCL) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ORCL | 8.4% revenue growth vs BOX's 5.0% |
| Value | BOX | Lower P/E (18.3x vs 19.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | ORCL | 25.3% net margin vs BOX's 19.7% |
| Stability / Safety | BOX | Beta 0.55 vs ORCL's 1.40, lower leverage |
| Dividends | ORCL | 1.1% yield, 18-year raise streak, vs BOX's 0.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | ORCL | -11.2% vs BOX's -28.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | BOX | 14.1% ROA vs ORCL's 7.5%, ROIC 25.8% vs 12.8% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
Box is a cloud content management platform that helps organizations securely store, share, and collaborate on files from any device. It generates revenue primarily through subscription fees for its SaaS platform — with enterprise customers accounting for the majority of its recurring revenue — and additional services like implementation and support. The company's competitive advantage lies in its deep security and compliance features — particularly for regulated industries — and its extensive enterprise integrations that create switching costs.
Oracle is a global enterprise software and cloud computing company that provides database management systems, enterprise applications, and cloud infrastructure services. It generates revenue primarily through cloud services and license support (~70% of total revenue) and cloud license and on-premise license sales (~20%), with hardware and services making up the remainder. The company's key moat is its entrenched position in enterprise database software—particularly with its flagship Oracle Database—which creates significant switching costs and lock-in for large corporate customers.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
ORCL leads in 3 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Total Returns). BOX leads in 3 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
Financial Metrics (TTM)
ORCL is the larger business by revenue, generating $61.0B annually — 53.0x BOX's $1.2B. ORCL is the more profitable business, keeping 25.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BOX's 19.7%. On growth, ORCL holds the edge at +14.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | BOXBox, Inc. | ORCLOracle Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.2B | $61.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $100M | $22.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $227M | $15.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $335M | -$13.2B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +78.9% | +70.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.1% | +30.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +19.7% | +25.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +29.1% | -21.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.1% | +14.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -7.8% | +90.9% |
Valuation Metrics
At 17.3x trailing earnings, BOX trades at a 48% valuation discount to ORCL's 33.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ORCL's 21.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than BOX's 34.3x.
| Metric | BOXBox, Inc. | ORCLOracle Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.4B | $408.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.5B | $501.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 17.32x | 33.50x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 18.30x | 19.71x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.72x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 34.33x | 21.02x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.11x | 7.11x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 17.74x | 19.87x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 10.30x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
BOX delivers a 108.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $108 in annual profit, vs $51 for ORCL. BOX carries lower financial leverage with a 3.66x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ORCL's 4.96x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ORCL scores 6/9 vs BOX's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | BOXBox, Inc. | ORCLOracle Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +108.4% | +50.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +14.1% | +7.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +25.8% | +12.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.2% | +14.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 3.66x | 4.96x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $97M | $93.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $625M | $10.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $721M | $104.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 9.33x | 3.24x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in ORCL five years ago would be worth $23,146 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,408 for BOX. Over the past 12 months, ORCL leads with a -11.2% total return vs BOX's -28.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ORCL at 19.9% vs BOX's -11.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | BOXBox, Inc. | ORCLOracle Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -18.3% | -25.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -28.0% | -11.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -29.4% | +72.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +24.1% | +131.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +104.6% | +327.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -11.0% | +19.9% |
Risk & Volatility
BOX is the less volatile stock with a 0.55 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ORCL's 1.40 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. BOX currently trades 60.7% from its 52-week high vs ORCL's 42.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | BOXBox, Inc. | ORCLOracle Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.55x | 1.40x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $38.80 | $345.72 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.62 | $118.86 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +60.7% | +42.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.4 | 41.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.1M | 20.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BOX as "Buy" and ORCL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 103.5% upside for ORCL (target: $296) vs 52.9% for BOX (target: $36). For income investors, ORCL offers the higher dividend yield at 1.14% vs BOX's 0.43%.
| Metric | BOXBox, Inc. | ORCLOracle Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $36.00 | $295.85 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 28 | 86 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.4% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 18 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.10 | $1.65 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +6.2% | +0.4% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box, Inc. (BOX) | 100 | 153.23 | +53.2% |
| Oracle Corporation (ORCL) | 100 | 314.46 | +214.5% |
Oracle Corporation (ORCL) returned +131% over 5 years vs Box, Inc. (BOX)'s +24%. A $10,000 investment in ORCL 5 years ago would be worth $23,146 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box, Inc. (BOX) | $303M | $1.1B | +260.1% |
| Oracle Corporation (ORCL) | $37.0B | $57.4B | +54.9% |
Box, Inc.'s revenue grew from $303M (2016) to $1.1B (2025) — a 15.3% CAGR. Oracle Corporation's revenue grew from $37.0B (2016) to $57.4B (2025) — a 5.0% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box, Inc. (BOX) | -67.0% | 22.4% | +133.5% |
| Oracle Corporation (ORCL) | 24.0% | 21.7% | -9.8% |
Box, Inc.'s net margin went from -67% (2016) to 22% (2025). Oracle Corporation's net margin went from 24% (2016) to 22% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box, Inc. (BOX) | 142.3 | 22 | -84.5% |
| Oracle Corporation (ORCL) | 21.4 | 44.9 | +109.8% |
Box, Inc. has traded in a 22x–142x P/E range over 3 years; current trailing P/E is ~17x. Oracle Corporation has traded in a 18x–53x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~34x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box, Inc. (BOX) | -1.67 | 1.36 | +181.4% |
| Oracle Corporation (ORCL) | 2.07 | 4.34 | +109.7% |
Box, Inc.'s EPS grew from $-1.67 (2016) to $1.36 (2025). Oracle Corporation's EPS grew from $2.07 (2016) to $4.34 (2025) — a 9% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Box, Inc. generated $330M FCF in 2025 (+83% vs 2021). Oracle Corporation generated $-394M FCF in 2025 (-103% vs 2021).
BOX vs ORCL: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BOX or ORCL a better buy right now?
Box, Inc. (BOX) offers the better valuation at 17.3x trailing P/E (18.3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Box, Inc. (BOX) a "Buy" — based on 28 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — BOX or ORCL?
On trailing P/E, Box, Inc. (BOX) is the cheapest at 17.3x versus Oracle Corporation at 33.5x. On forward P/E, Box, Inc. is actually cheaper at 18.3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — BOX or ORCL?
Over the past 5 years, Oracle Corporation (ORCL) delivered a total return of +131.5%, compared to +24.1% for Box, Inc. (BOX). A $10,000 investment in ORCL five years ago would be worth approximately $23K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ORCL returned +327.4% versus BOX's +104.6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — BOX or ORCL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Box, Inc. (BOX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.55β versus Oracle Corporation's 1.40β — meaning ORCL is approximately 157% more volatile than BOX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Box, Inc. (BOX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 5% for Oracle Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — BOX or ORCL?
Box, Inc. (BOX) is the more profitable company, earning 22.4% net margin versus 21.7% for Oracle Corporation — meaning it keeps 22.4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ORCL leads at 30.8% versus 7.3% for BOX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BOX leads at 79.1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is BOX or ORCL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Box, Inc. (BOX) trades at 18.3x forward P/E versus 19.7x for Oracle Corporation — 1.4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ORCL: 103.5% to $295.85.
07Which pays a better dividend — BOX or ORCL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends. Oracle Corporation (ORCL) offers the highest yield at 1.1%, versus 0.4% for Box, Inc. (BOX).
08Is BOX or ORCL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Box, Inc. (BOX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.55), +104.6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BOX: +104.6%, ORCL: +327.4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between BOX and ORCL?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. In terms of investment character: BOX is a small-cap deep-value stock; ORCL is a large-cap quality compounder stock. ORCL pays a dividend while BOX does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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