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LSAK vs PAGS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Software - Infrastructure
LSAK vs PAGS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Software - Infrastructure |
| Market Cap | $418M | $1.73B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.58B | $19.82B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-21M | $2.13B |
| Gross Margin | 4.0% | 50.8% |
| Operating Margin | 1.1% | 37.5% |
| Forward P/E | 16.3x | 1.1x |
| Total Debt | $235M | $34.86B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $77M | $1.86B |
LSAK vs PAGS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesaka Technologies… (LSAK) | 100 | 160.8 | +60.8% |
| PagSeguro Digital L… (PAGS) | 100 | 31.9 | -68.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LSAK vs PAGS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
LSAK is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.20
- Rev growth 16.9%, EPS growth -322.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 43.6%
- -56.3% 10Y total return vs PAGS's -62.7%
PAGS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (1.1x vs 16.3x)
- 10.7% margin vs LSAK's -0.6%
- 4.1% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 16.9% revenue growth vs PAGS's 5.6% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (1.1x vs 16.3x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 10.7% margin vs LSAK's -0.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.20 vs PAGS's 1.70, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 4.1% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +26.8% vs PAGS's +13.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.0% ROA vs LSAK's -0.6%, ROIC 10.7% vs -5.2% |
LSAK vs PAGS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
LSAK vs PAGS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PAGS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PAGS is the larger business by revenue, generating $19.8B annually — 5.5x LSAK's $3.6B. PAGS is the more profitable business, keeping 10.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LSAK's -0.6%. On growth, LSAK holds the edge at +17.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.6B | $19.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $249M | $8.8B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$21M | $2.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$22M | $708M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +4.0% | +50.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.1% | +37.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -0.6% | +10.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -0.6% | +3.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +17.5% | +6.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +140.7% | -8.4% |
Valuation Metrics
PAGS leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, PAGS's 5.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LSAK's 87.1x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $418M | $1.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $577M | $8.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.36x | 7.20x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.32x | 1.14x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.59x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 87.11x | 5.72x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.63x | 0.44x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.46x | 1.02x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 5.50x |
Profitability & Efficiency
PAGS leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PAGS delivers a 14.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $-2 for LSAK. LSAK carries lower financial leverage with a 0.90x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PAGS's 2.38x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PAGS scores 7/9 vs LSAK's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -1.6% | +14.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.6% | +3.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -5.2% | +10.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.9% | +25.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.90x | 2.38x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $159M | $33.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $77M | $1.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $235M | $34.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.28x | 1.50x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LSAK leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LSAK five years ago would be worth $10,734 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,510 for PAGS. Over the past 12 months, LSAK leads with a +26.8% total return vs PAGS's +13.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LSAK at 12.8% vs PAGS's -1.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +8.3% | +8.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +26.8% | +13.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +43.6% | -3.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +7.3% | -74.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -56.3% | -62.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +12.8% | -1.3% |
Risk & Volatility
LSAK leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LSAK is the less volatile stock with a 0.20 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PAGS's 1.70 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LSAK currently trades 89.8% from its 52-week high vs PAGS's 82.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.20x | 1.70x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $5.54 | $12.32 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.39 | $7.74 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +89.8% | +82.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.4 | 51.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 91K | 3.7M |
Analyst Outlook
PAGS leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LSAK as "Buy" and PAGS as "Buy". PAGS is the only dividend payer here at 4.05% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $12.18 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 4 | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +4.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $2.03 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.3% | 0.0% |
PAGS leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). LSAK leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility).
LSAK vs PAGS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LSAK or PAGS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Lesaka Technologies, Inc.
(LSAK) is the stronger pick with 16. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 6% for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS). PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) offers the better valuation at 7. 2x trailing P/E (1. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Lesaka Technologies, Inc. (LSAK) a "Buy" — based on 4 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 — LSAK or PAGS?
On forward P/E, PagSeguro Digital Ltd.
is actually cheaper at 1. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LSAK or PAGS?
Over the past 5 years, Lesaka Technologies, Inc.
(LSAK) delivered a total return of +7. 3%, compared to -74. 9% for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LSAK returned -56. 3% versus PAGS's -62. 7%. 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 — LSAK or PAGS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Lesaka Technologies, Inc.
(LSAK) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 20β versus PagSeguro Digital Ltd. 's 1. 70β — meaning PAGS is approximately 734% more volatile than LSAK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Lesaka Technologies, Inc. (LSAK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 90% versus 2% for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — LSAK or PAGS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Lesaka Technologies, Inc.
(LSAK) is pulling ahead at 16. 9% versus 5. 6% for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PagSeguro Digital Ltd. grew EPS 5. 1% year-over-year, compared to -322. 2% for Lesaka Technologies, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LSAK leads at 43. 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 — LSAK or PAGS?
PagSeguro Digital Ltd.
(PAGS) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 7% net margin versus -13. 3% for Lesaka Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PAGS leads at 37. 5% versus -4. 1% for LSAK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PAGS leads at 50. 6%, 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 LSAK or PAGS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, PagSeguro Digital Ltd.
(PAGS) trades at 1. 1x forward P/E versus 16. 3x for Lesaka Technologies, Inc. — 15. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — LSAK or PAGS?
In this comparison, PAGS (4.
1% yield) pays a dividend. LSAK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is LSAK or PAGS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Lesaka Technologies, Inc.
(LSAK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 20)). PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) 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 (LSAK: -56. 3%, PAGS: -62. 7%), 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 LSAK and PAGS?
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: LSAK is a small-cap high-growth stock; PAGS is a small-cap deep-value stock. PAGS pays a dividend while LSAK 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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