MANH vs WMS vs NCNO vs VEEV vs GWRE

For growth investors, Guidewire Software, Inc.

(GWRE) is the stronger pick with 22. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 0% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS). Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS) offers the better valuation at 24. 8x trailing P/E (24. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Manhattan Associates, Inc. (MANH) a "Buy" — based on 15 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, Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

(WMS) is the cheapest at 24. 8x versus Guidewire Software, Inc. at 172. 9x. On forward P/E, Veeva Systems Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 9x — 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: Veeva Systems Inc. wins at 1. 04x versus Manhattan Associates, Inc. 's 1. 20x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Guidewire Software, Inc.

(GWRE) delivered a total return of +41. 8%, compared to -69. 1% for nCino, Inc. (NCNO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WMS returned +567. 5% versus NCNO's -81. 0%. 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), Guidewire Software, Inc.

(GWRE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 61β versus Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. 's 1. 32β — meaning WMS is approximately 117% more volatile than GWRE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Veeva Systems Inc. (VEEV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 88% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Guidewire Software, Inc.

(GWRE) is pulling ahead at 22. 6% versus 1. 0% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Guidewire Software, Inc. grew EPS 1192% year-over-year, compared to -10. 7% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NCNO leads at 25. 4% 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.

Veeva Systems Inc.

(VEEV) is the more profitable company, earning 28. 4% net margin versus -7. 0% for nCino, Inc. — meaning it keeps 28. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: VEEV leads at 28. 7% versus -3. 4% for NCNO. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VEEV leads at 75. 5%, 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, Veeva Systems Inc. (VEEV) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 04x versus Manhattan Associates, Inc. 's 1. 20x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Veeva Systems Inc. (VEEV) trades at 18. 9x forward P/E versus 37. 3x for Guidewire Software, Inc. — 18. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NCNO: 80. 0% to $32. 33.

In this comparison, WMS (0.

4% yield) pays a dividend. MANH, NCNO, VEEV, GWRE do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Veeva Systems Inc.

(VEEV) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 77), +519. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (VEEV: +519. 6%, NCNO: -81. 0%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (MANH (Technology) and WMS (Industrials) and NCNO (Technology) and VEEV (Healthcare) and GWRE (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: MANH is a small-cap quality compounder stock; WMS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; NCNO is a small-cap quality compounder stock; VEEV is a mid-cap high-growth stock; GWRE is a mid-cap high-growth stock. 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.