DAC
Danaos Corporation
Marine Shipping
Market Cap$2.47B
5Y Perf.+409.2%
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Stock Comparison
DAC vs ZIM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ZIM
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
Marine Shipping
Market Cap$3.21B
5Y Perf.+120.8%
DAC vs ZIM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | DAC | ZIM |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Marine Shipping | Marine Shipping |
| Market Cap | $2.47B | $3.21B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.04B | $6.90B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $495M | $479M |
| Gross Margin | 60.1% | 16.8% |
| Operating Margin | 47.8% | 12.3% |
| Forward P/E | 5.1x | 6.7x |
| Total Debt | $1.16B | $5.74B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.04B | $1.05B |
DAC vs ZIM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
DAC
ZIM
| Stock | Jan 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danaos Corporation (DAC) | 100 | 509.2 | +409.2% |
| ZIM Integrated Ship… (ZIM) | 100 | 220.8 | +120.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: DAC vs ZIM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: DAC leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
DAC
Danaos Corporation
The Income Pick
DAC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 0.61, yield 2.6%
- Rev growth 2.8%, EPS growth 2.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 1.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.61, Low D/E 30.4%, current ratio 3.28x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
ZIM
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
The Long-Run Compounder
ZIM is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 5.5% 10Y total return vs DAC's 231.2%
- +100.7% vs DAC's +65.3%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | DAC | 2.8% revenue growth vs ZIM's -18.1% |
| Value | DAC | Lower P/E (5.1x vs 6.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | DAC | 47.4% margin vs ZIM's 6.9% |
| Stability / Safety | DAC | Beta 0.61 vs ZIM's 1.27, lower leverage |
| Dividends | DAC | 2.6% yield, 4-year raise streak, vs ZIM's 16.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | ZIM | +100.7% vs DAC's +65.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | DAC | 9.7% ROA vs ZIM's 4.3%, ROIC 9.8% vs 7.3% |
DAC vs ZIM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2022
DAC vs ZIM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLDACLAGGINGZIM
ZIMZIM Integrated Shippi…
0leads
DACDanaos Corporation
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ZIMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
DAC6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
DAC3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
DAC8/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
DAC4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
DAC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DAC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ZIM is the larger business by revenue, generating $6.9B annually — 6.6x DAC's $1.0B. DAC is the more profitable business, keeping 47.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ZIM's 6.9%. On growth, DAC holds the edge at +3.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | DACDanaos Corporation | ZIMZIM Integrated Sh… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.0B | $6.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $695M | $2.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $495M | $479M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $341M | $2.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +60.1% | +16.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +47.8% | +12.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +47.4% | +6.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +32.7% | +29.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.1% | -31.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +37.8% | -93.1% |
DAC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
DAC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.0x trailing earnings, DAC trades at a 25% valuation discount to ZIM's 6.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, DAC's 3.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ZIM's 3.7x.
| Metric | DACDanaos Corporation | ZIMZIM Integrated Sh… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.5B | $3.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.6B | $7.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 5.03x | 6.69x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 5.11x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.11x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 3.66x | 3.70x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.36x | 0.46x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.66x | 0.80x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 7.65x | 1.99x |
DAC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DAC leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DAC delivers a 13.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $12 for ZIM. DAC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.30x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ZIM's 1.43x.
| Metric | DACDanaos Corporation | ZIMZIM Integrated Sh… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.0% | +12.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +9.7% | +4.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.8% | +7.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.2% | +9.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.30x | 1.43x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $118M | $4.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.0B | $1.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.2B | $5.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 11.62x | 2.02x |
DAC leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
DAC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in DAC five years ago would be worth $23,495 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $19,438 for ZIM. Over the past 12 months, ZIM leads with a +100.7% total return vs DAC's +65.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors DAC at 36.4% vs ZIM's 27.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | DACDanaos Corporation | ZIMZIM Integrated Sh… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +42.3% | +25.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +65.3% | +100.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +153.9% | +107.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +134.9% | +94.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +231.2% | +552.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +36.4% | +27.5% |
DAC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
DAC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
DAC is the less volatile stock with a 0.61 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ZIM's 1.27 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. DAC currently trades 99.6% from its 52-week high vs ZIM's 88.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | DACDanaos Corporation | ZIMZIM Integrated Sh… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.61x | 1.27x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $135.21 | $29.97 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $81.47 | $12.33 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.6% | +88.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 76.0 | 46.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 83K | 1.8M |
DAC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — DAC and ZIM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates DAC as "Hold" and ZIM as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply -22.0% upside for DAC (target: $105) vs -44.4% for ZIM (target: $15). For income investors, ZIM offers the higher dividend yield at 16.08% vs DAC's 2.55%.
| Metric | DACDanaos Corporation | ZIMZIM Integrated Sh… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $105.00 | $14.80 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 6 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.6% | +16.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.44 | $4.28 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.1% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — DAC and ZIM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
DAC leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
Best OverallDanaos Corporation (DAC)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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DAC vs ZIM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DAC or ZIM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Danaos Corporation (DAC) is the stronger pick with 2.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -18. 1% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM). Danaos Corporation (DAC) offers the better valuation at 5. 0x trailing P/E (5. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Danaos Corporation (DAC) a "Hold" — based on 5 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 — DAC or ZIM?
On trailing P/E, Danaos Corporation (DAC) is the cheapest at 5.
0x versus ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. at 6. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — DAC or ZIM?
Over the past 5 years, Danaos Corporation (DAC) delivered a total return of +134.
9%, compared to +94. 4% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ZIM returned +552. 4% versus DAC's +231. 2%. 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 — DAC or ZIM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Danaos Corporation (DAC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
61β versus ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. 's 1. 27β — meaning ZIM is approximately 109% more volatile than DAC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Danaos Corporation (DAC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 30% versus 143% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — DAC or ZIM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Danaos Corporation (DAC) is pulling ahead at 2.
8% versus -18. 1% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Danaos Corporation grew EPS 2. 7% year-over-year, compared to -77. 7% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, DAC leads at 1. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — DAC or ZIM?
Danaos Corporation (DAC) is the more profitable company, earning 47.
4% net margin versus 6. 9% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. — meaning it keeps 47. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DAC leads at 47. 8% versus 12. 2% for ZIM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DAC leads at 60. 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.
07Is DAC or ZIM more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DAC: -22.
0% to $105. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — DAC or ZIM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) offers the highest yield at 16. 1%, versus 2. 6% for Danaos Corporation (DAC).
09Is DAC or ZIM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Danaos Corporation (DAC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
61), 2. 6% yield, +231. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (DAC: +231. 2%, ZIM: +552. 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.
10What are the main differences between DAC and ZIM?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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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Revenue Growth>
%
(DAC: 3.1% · ZIM: -31.5%)Net Margin>
%
(DAC: 47.4% · ZIM: 6.9%)P/E Ratio<
x
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