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U vs EA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Electronic Gaming & Multimedia
U vs EA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Application | Electronic Gaming & Multimedia |
| Market Cap | $11.66B | $50.26B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.92B | $7.53B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-672M | $887M |
| Gross Margin | 59.4% | 79.0% |
| Operating Margin | -36.1% | 15.4% |
| Forward P/E | — | 23.4x |
| Total Debt | $2.39B | $1.49B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.06B | $2.86B |
U vs EA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Sep 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unity Software Inc. (U) | 100 | 30.6 | -69.4% |
| Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) | 100 | 154.0 | +54.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: U vs EA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
U is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 2.0%, EPS growth 42.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.0%
- 2.0% revenue growth vs EA's 0.9%
EA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.18, yield 0.4%
- 217.6% 10Y total return vs U's -60.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.18, Low D/E 22.0%, current ratio 1.05x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 2.0% revenue growth vs EA's 0.9% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 11.8% margin vs U's -35.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.18 vs U's 2.36, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 0.4% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +29.7% vs U's +29.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 7.1% ROA vs U's -10.0%, ROIC 14.7% vs -7.8% |
U vs EA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
U vs EA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EA leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EA is the larger business by revenue, generating $7.5B annually — 3.9x U's $1.9B. EA is the more profitable business, keeping 11.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to U's -35.0%. On growth, U holds the edge at +16.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.9B | $7.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$329M | $1.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$672M | $887M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $463M | $2.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +59.4% | +79.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -36.1% | +15.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -35.0% | +11.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +24.1% | +30.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +16.8% | +11.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.2% | +90.6% |
Valuation Metrics
U leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, EA's 39.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than U's 312.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $11.7B | $50.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $12.0B | $48.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -27.84x | 57.22x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 23.38x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 13.93x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 312.54x | 39.81x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.31x | 6.67x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.22x | 7.51x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 28.87x | 21.64x |
Profitability & Efficiency
EA leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EA delivers a 14.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $-20 for U. EA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.22x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to U's 0.68x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -19.8% | +14.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -10.0% | +7.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -7.8% | +14.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -7.6% | +12.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.68x | 0.22x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $330M | -$1.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.1B | $2.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.4B | $1.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -25.48x | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
EA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in EA five years ago would be worth $14,364 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,989 for U. Over the past 12 months, EA leads with a +29.7% total return vs U's +29.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EA at 17.3% vs U's -1.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -39.6% | -1.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +29.4% | +29.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -5.7% | +61.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -70.1% | +43.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -60.9% | +217.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -1.9% | +17.3% |
Risk & Volatility
EA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EA is the less volatile stock with a 0.18 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than U's 2.36 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. EA currently trades 98.0% from its 52-week high vs U's 51.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.36x | 0.18x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $52.15 | $204.89 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $16.78 | $141.19 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +51.3% | +98.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.9 | 35.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 13.8M | 1.8M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates U as "Buy" and EA as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 32.1% upside for U (target: $35) vs -14.0% for EA (target: $173). EA is the only dividend payer here at 0.38% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $35.31 | $172.65 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 26 | 66 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.75 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.1% |
EA leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). U leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
U vs EA: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is U or EA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Unity Software Inc.
(U) is the stronger pick with 2. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 9% for Electronic Arts Inc. (EA). Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) offers the better valuation at 57. 2x trailing P/E (23. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Unity Software Inc. (U) a "Buy" — based on 26 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 — U or EA?
Over the past 5 years, Electronic Arts Inc.
(EA) delivered a total return of +43. 6%, compared to -70. 1% for Unity Software Inc. (U). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EA returned +217. 6% versus U's -60. 9%. 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 — U or EA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Electronic Arts Inc.
(EA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 18β versus Unity Software Inc. 's 2. 36β — meaning U is approximately 1175% more volatile than EA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 68% for Unity Software Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — U or EA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Unity Software Inc.
(U) is pulling ahead at 2. 0% versus 0. 9% for Electronic Arts Inc. (EA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Unity Software Inc. grew EPS 42. 9% year-over-year, compared to -17. 0% for Electronic Arts Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, U leads at 10. 0% 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 — U or EA?
Electronic Arts Inc.
(EA) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 8% net margin versus -21. 8% for Unity Software Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EA leads at 15. 4% versus -22. 8% for U. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EA leads at 79. 0%, 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.
06Is U or EA more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for U: 32.
1% to $35. 31.
07Which pays a better dividend — U or EA?
In this comparison, EA (0.
4% yield) pays a dividend. U does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is U or EA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Electronic Arts Inc.
(EA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 18), +217. 6% 10Y return). Unity Software Inc. (U) carries a higher beta of 2. 36 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (EA: +217. 6%, U: -60. 9%), 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.
09What are the main differences between U and EA?
These companies operate in different sectors (U (Technology) and EA (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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