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NICE vs LPSN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Software - Application
NICE vs LPSN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Application | Software - Application |
| Market Cap | $5.85B | $30M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.95B | $244M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $612M | $-67M |
| Gross Margin | 66.4% | 62.2% |
| Operating Margin | 21.9% | -9.6% |
| Forward P/E | 8.8x | — |
| Total Debt | $164M | $392M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $379M | $95M |
NICE vs LPSN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICE Ltd. (NICE) | 100 | 52.0 | -48.0% |
| LivePerson, Inc. (LPSN) | 100 | 0.4 | -99.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NICE vs LPSN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
NICE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.72
- Rev growth 7.7%, EPS growth 43.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.5%
- 51.7% 10Y total return vs LPSN's -97.2%
In this particular matchup, LPSN is outpaced on most metrics by others in the set.
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 7.7% revenue growth vs LPSN's -22.0% | |
| Quality / Margins | 20.8% margin vs LPSN's -27.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.72 vs LPSN's 2.05 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | -38.3% vs LPSN's -80.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.8% ROA vs LPSN's -12.4%, ROIC 13.2% vs -6.6% |
NICE vs LPSN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
NICE vs LPSN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NICE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NICE is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.9B annually — 12.1x LPSN's $244M. NICE is the more profitable business, keeping 20.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LPSN's -27.6%. On growth, NICE holds the edge at +9.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.9B | $244M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $845M | -$562,000 |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $612M | -$67M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $665M | -$43M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +66.4% | +62.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +21.9% | -9.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +20.8% | -27.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +22.6% | -17.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.0% | -19.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +56.5% | +79.4% |
Valuation Metrics
LPSN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.9B | $30M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.6B | $327M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 10.02x | -0.20x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.85x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.38x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.67x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.99x | 0.12x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.58x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.32x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
NICE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NICE scores 7/9 vs LPSN's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +16.4% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.8% | -12.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +13.2% | -6.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +16.1% | -5.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$216M | $297M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $379M | $95M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $164M | $392M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 0.20x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NICE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NICE five years ago would be worth $4,175 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $33 for LPSN. Over the past 12 months, NICE leads with a -38.3% total return vs LPSN's -80.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NICE at -19.9% vs LPSN's -66.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -13.5% | -35.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -38.3% | -80.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -48.6% | -96.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -58.2% | -99.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +51.7% | -97.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -19.9% | -66.1% |
Risk & Volatility
NICE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NICE is the less volatile stock with a 0.72 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LPSN's 2.05 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NICE currently trades 53.6% from its 52-week high vs LPSN's 11.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.72x | 2.05x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $180.61 | $21.60 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $94.89 | $2.37 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +53.6% | +11.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 71.1 | 41.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 626K | 146K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $150.88 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 23 | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +8.4% | 0.0% |
NICE leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). LPSN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
NICE vs LPSN: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NICE or LPSN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, NICE Ltd.
(NICE) is the stronger pick with 7. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -22. 0% for LivePerson, Inc. (LPSN). NICE Ltd. (NICE) offers the better valuation at 10. 0x trailing P/E (8. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NICE Ltd. (NICE) a "Buy" — based on 23 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 is the better long-term investment — NICE or LPSN?
Over the past 5 years, NICE Ltd.
(NICE) delivered a total return of -58. 2%, compared to -99. 7% for LivePerson, Inc. (LPSN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NICE returned +51. 7% versus LPSN's -97. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — NICE or LPSN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NICE Ltd.
(NICE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 72β versus LivePerson, Inc. 's 2. 05β — meaning LPSN is approximately 183% more volatile than NICE relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — NICE or LPSN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), NICE Ltd.
(NICE) is pulling ahead at 7. 7% versus -22. 0% for LivePerson, Inc. (LPSN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LivePerson, Inc. grew EPS 45. 4% year-over-year, compared to 43. 0% for NICE Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NICE leads at 10. 5% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — NICE or LPSN?
NICE Ltd.
(NICE) is the more profitable company, earning 20. 8% net margin versus -27. 6% for LivePerson, Inc. — meaning it keeps 20. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NICE leads at 21. 9% versus -9. 6% for LPSN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NICE leads at 66. 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — NICE or LPSN?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
07Is NICE or LPSN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, NICE Ltd.
(NICE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 72)). LivePerson, Inc. (LPSN) carries a higher beta of 2. 05 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NICE: +51. 7%, LPSN: -97. 2%), 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.
08What are the main differences between NICE and LPSN?
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: NICE is a small-cap deep-value stock; LPSN is a small-cap quality compounder 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.
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