Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK) & The Descartes Systems Group (NASDAQ:DSGX) Head-To-Head Contrast

The Descartes Systems Group (NASDAQ:DSGX) and Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK) are both technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability and earnings.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares The Descartes Systems Group and Autodesk”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
The Descartes Systems Group	$728.99 million	10.63	$163.77 million	$2.14	42.35
Autodesk	$7.21 billion	7.24	$1.12 billion	$7.73	32.29

Autodesk has higher revenue and earnings than The Descartes Systems Group. Autodesk is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than The Descartes Systems Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for The Descartes Systems Group and Autodesk, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
The Descartes Systems Group	0	3	11	1	2.87
Autodesk	0	6	25	1	2.84

The Descartes Systems Group presently has a consensus target price of $100.33, indicating a potential upside of 10.72%. Autodesk has a consensus target price of $316.84, indicating a potential upside of 26.94%. Given Autodesk’s higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Autodesk is more favorable than The Descartes Systems Group.

Risk & Volatility

The Descartes Systems Group has a beta of 0.65, indicating that its share price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Autodesk has a beta of 1.33, indicating that its share price is 33% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

77.7% of The Descartes Systems Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.2% of Autodesk shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of The Descartes Systems Group shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Autodesk shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares The Descartes Systems Group and Autodesk’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
The Descartes Systems Group	24.25%	11.66%	9.90%
Autodesk	21.08%	58.63%	15.10%

Summary

Autodesk beats The Descartes Systems Group on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About The Descartes Systems Group

The Descartes Systems Group Inc. provides cloud-based logistics and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Its Logistics Technology platform offers a range of modular, interoperable web and wireless logistics management solutions. The company provides a suite of solutions that include routing, mobile, and telematics; transportation management; ecommerce, shipping, and fulfillment; customs and regulatory compliance; global trade intelligence; broker and forwarder enterprise systems; and B2B messaging and connectivity services. It also offers its customers to use its modular, software-as-a-service, and data solutions to route, schedule, track, and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate, and execute shipments; rate, audit, and pay transportation invoices; access and analyze global trade data; research and perform trade tariff and duty calculations; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and various other logistics processes. In addition, the company provides consulting, implementation, and training services, as well as maintenance and support services. It serves transportation providers, such as air, ocean, and truck modes; logistics service providers, including third-party logistics providers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers; and distribution-intensive companies, such as manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and mobile business service providers through subscription, transactional or perpetual license basis. The Descartes Systems Group Inc. was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Waterloo, Canada.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. provides 3D design, engineering, and entertainment technology solutions worldwide. The company offers AutoCAD Civil 3D, a surveying, design, analysis, and documentation solution for civil engineering, including land development, transportation, and environmental projects; BuildingConnected, a SaaS preconstruction solution; AutoCAD, a software for professional design, drafting, detailing, and visualization; AutoCAD LT, a drafting and detailing software; computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software for computer numeric control machining, inspection, and modelling for manufacturing; Fusion 360, a 3D CAD, CAM, and computer-aided engineering tool; and Industry Collections tools for professionals in architecture, engineering and construction, product design and manufacturing, and media and entertainment collection industries. It also provides Inventor tools for 3D mechanical design, simulation, analysis, tooling, visualization, and documentation; Vault, a data management software to manage data in one central location, accelerate design processes, and streamline internal/external collaboration; Maya and 3ds Max software products that offer 3D modeling, animation, effects, rendering, and compositing solutions; and ShotGrid, a cloud-based software for review and production tracking in the media and entertainment industry. It sells its products and services to customers directly, as well as through a network of resellers and distributors. Autodesk, Inc. was incorporated in 1982 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.