DAVA vs ACN vs EPAM vs CTSH

For growth investors, EPAM Systems, Inc.

(EPAM) is the stronger pick with 15. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for Endava plc (DAVA). Endava plc (DAVA) offers the better valuation at 8. 5x trailing P/E (4. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Accenture plc (ACN) a "Buy" — based on 53 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.

On trailing P/E, Endava plc (DAVA) is the cheapest at 8.

5x versus EPAM Systems, Inc. at 15. 5x. On forward P/E, Endava plc is actually cheaper at 4. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation wins at 0. 75x versus EPAM Systems, Inc. 's 2. 07x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) delivered a total return of -22.

9%, compared to -95. 4% for Endava plc (DAVA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ACN returned +90. 1% versus DAVA's -83. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

71β versus Endava plc's 1. 77β — meaning DAVA is approximately 150% more volatile than CTSH relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, EPAM Systems, Inc. (EPAM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 39% for Endava plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), EPAM Systems, Inc.

(EPAM) is pulling ahead at 15. 4% versus 4. 3% for Endava plc (DAVA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Endava plc grew EPS 24. 1% year-over-year, compared to -14. 3% for EPAM Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, DAVA leads at 5. 7% 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.

Accenture plc (ACN) is the more profitable company, earning 11.

0% net margin versus 2. 7% for Endava plc — meaning it keeps 11. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CTSH leads at 16. 7% versus 4. 1% for DAVA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CTSH leads at 33. 7%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 75x versus EPAM Systems, Inc. 's 2. 07x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Endava plc (DAVA) trades at 4. 9x forward P/E versus 13. 0x for Accenture plc — 8. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DAVA: 189. 9% to $12. 00.

In this comparison, ACN (3.

2% yield), CTSH (2. 4% yield) pay a dividend. DAVA, EPAM do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

71), 2. 4% yield). Endava plc (DAVA) carries a higher beta of 1. 77 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CTSH: -0. 4%, DAVA: -83. 6%), 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.

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: DAVA is a small-cap deep-value stock; ACN is a mid-cap deep-value stock; EPAM is a small-cap high-growth stock; CTSH is a mid-cap deep-value stock. ACN, CTSH pay a dividend while DAVA, EPAM do 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.