WallStSmart

GDS Holdings Ltd (GDS)vsMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Microsoft Corporation generates 2606% more annual revenue ($331.84B vs $12.26B). MSFT leads profitability with a 40.3% profit margin vs 30.5%. MSFT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.60. MSFT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).

GDS

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 6.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.65

MSFT

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 5.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.68
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

GDSUndervalued (+17.0%)

Margin of Safety

+17.0%

Fair Value

$55.98

Current Price

$30.82

$25.16 discount

UndervaluedFair: $55.98Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for MSFT.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

GDS4 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
30.5%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
207.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 207.0% YoY

P/E RatioValuation
13.9x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

MSFT6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Market CapQuality
$3.68T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
30.2%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
40.3%10/10

Keeps 40 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
45.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 45.1%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$19.64B10/10

Generating 19.6B in free cash flow

Debt/EquityHealth
0.299/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

GDS3 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.463/10

Elevated debt levels

PEG RatioValuation
7.242/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.652/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

MSFT3 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.604/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
27.4x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
8.3x4/10

Trading at 8.3x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : GDS

The strongest argument for GDS centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.5% and operating margin at 14.2%.

Bull Case : MSFT

The strongest argument for MSFT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 40.3% and operating margin at 45.1%. Revenue growth of 17.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : GDS

The primary concerns for GDS are Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : MSFT

The primary concerns for MSFT are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

GDS profiles as a mature stock while MSFT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

MSFT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.11 — expect wider price swings.

MSFT is growing revenue faster at 17.7% — sustainability is the question.

MSFT generates stronger free cash flow (19.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

MSFT scores higher overall (72/100 vs 69/100), backed by strong 40.3% margins and 17.7% revenue growth. GDS offers better value entry with a 17.0% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

GDS Holdings Ltd

TECHNOLOGY · INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES · China

GDS Holdings Limited, develops and operates data centers in the People's Republic of China. The company is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

Microsoft Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company which produces computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 21 in the 2020 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue; it was the world's largest software maker by revenue as of 2016. It is considered one of the Big Five companies in the U.S. information technology industry, along with Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.

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