GDYN vs EXLS vs EPAM vs CTSH vs ACN

For growth investors, Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc.

(GDYN) is the stronger pick with 17. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 0% for Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH). Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) offers the better valuation at 11. 4x trailing P/E (9. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. (GDYN) a "Buy" — based on 8 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, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) is the cheapest at 11.

4x versus Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. at 63. 5x. On forward P/E, EPAM Systems, Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: ExlService Holdings, Inc. wins at 0. 57x 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, ExlService Holdings, Inc.

(EXLS) delivered a total return of +60. 0%, compared to -77. 3% for EPAM Systems, Inc. (EPAM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EXLS returned +218. 8% versus GDYN's -26. 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), ExlService Holdings, Inc.

(EXLS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 64β versus Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 70β — meaning GDYN is approximately 164% more volatile than EXLS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. (GDYN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 44% for ExlService Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc.

(GDYN) is pulling ahead at 17. 5% versus 7. 0% for Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 117. 8% year-over-year, compared to -14. 3% for EPAM Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EXLS leads at 13. 9% 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.

ExlService Holdings, Inc.

(EXLS) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 0% net margin versus 2. 3% for Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CTSH leads at 16. 7% versus 0. 6% for GDYN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EXLS leads at 38. 4%, 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, ExlService Holdings, Inc. (EXLS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 57x 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, EPAM Systems, Inc. (EPAM) trades at 7. 7x forward P/E versus 15. 6x for Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. — 7. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ACN: 66. 4% to $299. 92.

In this comparison, ACN (3.

2% yield), CTSH (2. 4% yield) pay a dividend. GDYN, EXLS, 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). Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. (GDYN) carries a higher beta of 1. 70 — 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%, GDYN: -26. 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: GDYN is a small-cap high-growth stock; EXLS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; EPAM is a small-cap high-growth stock; CTSH is a mid-cap deep-value stock; ACN is a mid-cap deep-value stock. CTSH, ACN pay a dividend while GDYN, EXLS, 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.