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PAR vs IQST
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Telecommunications Services
PAR vs IQST — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Application | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $617M | $7M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $476M | $332M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-76M | $-8M |
| Gross Margin | 40.1% | 2.7% |
| Operating Margin | -13.5% | -0.6% |
| Forward P/E | 28.3x | — |
| Total Debt | $402M | $8M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $80M | $3M |
PAR vs IQST — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAR Technology Corp… (PAR) | 100 | 59.9 | -40.1% |
| iQSTEL Inc. (IQST) | 100 | 24.5 | -75.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PAR vs IQST
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PAR is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 167.3% 10Y total return vs IQST's -99.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.54, Low D/E 48.8%, current ratio 1.66x
- -75.6% vs IQST's -80.8%
IQST carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 1.34
- Rev growth 96.0%, EPS growth -69.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 63.6%
- Beta 1.34, current ratio 0.99x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 96.0% revenue growth vs PAR's 30.2% | |
| Quality / Margins | -2.5% margin vs PAR's -16.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.34 vs PAR's 1.54 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | -75.6% vs IQST's -80.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -5.5% ROA vs IQST's -15.1%, ROIC -4.2% vs -5.0% |
PAR vs IQST — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
PAR vs IQST — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IQST leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PAR and IQST operate at a comparable scale, with $476M and $332M in trailing revenue. IQST is the more profitable business, keeping -2.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PAR's -16.0%. On growth, IQST holds the edge at +89.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $476M | $332M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$27M | -$1M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$76M | -$8M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$29M | -$3M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +40.1% | +2.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -13.5% | -0.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -16.0% | -2.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.0% | -1.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +19.4% | +89.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +36.1% | — |
Valuation Metrics
IQST leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $617M | $7M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $940M | $12M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -7.16x | -41.64x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 28.32x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.36x | 0.02x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.73x | 20.98x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
PAR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PAR delivers a -9.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-9 in annual profit, vs $-60 for IQST. PAR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.49x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to IQST's 0.68x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PAR scores 2/9 vs IQST's 1/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -9.1% | -59.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -5.5% | -15.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -4.2% | -5.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.1% | -7.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 1 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.49x | 0.68x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $323M | $6M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $80M | $3M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $402M | $8M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -21.71x | -0.39x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PAR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PAR five years ago would be worth $1,914 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $294 for IQST. Over the past 12 months, PAR leads with a -75.6% total return vs IQST's -80.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PAR at -20.2% vs IQST's -46.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -58.1% | -55.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -75.6% | -80.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -49.2% | -84.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -80.9% | -97.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +167.3% | -99.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -20.2% | -46.2% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — PAR and IQST each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
IQST is the less volatile stock with a 1.34 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PAR's 1.54 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PAR currently trades 20.7% from its 52-week high vs IQST's 7.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.54x | 1.34x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $72.15 | $19.00 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.59 | $1.28 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +20.7% | +7.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.3 | 42.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.9M | 358K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PAR as "Buy" and IQST as "Buy".
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $25.00 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 1 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.1% | 0.0% |
IQST leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). PAR leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 1 tied.
PAR vs IQST: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PAR or IQST a better buy right now?
For growth investors, iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the stronger pick with 96. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 30. 2% for PAR Technology Corporation (PAR). Analysts rate PAR Technology Corporation (PAR) a "Buy" — based on 11 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 — PAR or IQST?
Over the past 5 years, PAR Technology Corporation (PAR) delivered a total return of -80.
9%, compared to -97. 1% for iQSTEL Inc. (IQST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PAR returned +167. 3% versus IQST's -99. 3%. 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 — PAR or IQST?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 34β versus PAR Technology Corporation's 1. 54β — meaning PAR is approximately 15% more volatile than IQST relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, PAR Technology Corporation (PAR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 49% versus 68% for iQSTEL Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — PAR or IQST?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is pulling ahead at 96. 0% versus 30. 2% for PAR Technology Corporation (PAR). Over a 3-year CAGR, IQST leads at 63. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — PAR or IQST?
iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the more profitable company, earning -2. 1% net margin versus -18. 5% for PAR Technology Corporation — meaning it keeps -2. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IQST leads at -0. 3% versus -14. 0% for PAR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PAR leads at 40. 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — PAR or IQST?
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 PAR or IQST better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding. PAR Technology Corporation (PAR) carries a higher beta of 1. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (IQST: -99. 3%, PAR: +167. 3%), 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 PAR and IQST?
These companies operate in different sectors (PAR (Technology) and IQST (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
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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