SAP vs ADSK

For growth investors, Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) is the stronger pick with 10. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 7% for SAP SE (SAP). SAP SE (SAP) offers the better valuation at 24. 6x trailing P/E (23. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SAP SE (SAP) a "Buy" — based on 43 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, SAP SE (SAP) is the cheapest at 24.

6x versus Autodesk, Inc. at 46. 5x. On forward P/E, Autodesk, Inc. is actually cheaper at 19. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, SAP SE (SAP) delivered a total return of +32.

2%, compared to -14. 5% for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ADSK returned +314. 4% versus SAP's +152. 3%. 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), Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 85β versus SAP SE's 0. 89β — meaning SAP is approximately 4% more volatile than ADSK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, SAP SE (SAP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 18% versus 90% for Autodesk, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) is pulling ahead at 10. 5% versus 7. 7% for SAP SE (SAP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: SAP SE grew EPS 126. 0% year-over-year, compared to 2. 1% for Autodesk, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ADSK leads at 11. 1% 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.

SAP SE (SAP) is the more profitable company, earning 19.

1% net margin versus 16. 6% for Autodesk, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SAP leads at 26. 7% versus 23. 3% for ADSK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ADSK leads at 96. 8%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) trades at 19. 6x forward P/E versus 23. 6x for SAP SE — 4. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SAP: 126. 2% to $391. 67.

In this comparison, SAP (1.

5% yield) pays a dividend. ADSK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, SAP SE (SAP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

89), 1. 5% yield, +152. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SAP: +152. 3%, ADSK: +314. 4%), 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.

SAP pays a dividend while ADSK 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.