Cognizant Technology Solutions vs Accenture: Which Is the Stronger Buy Today?
Accenture fell -9.6% during the past Day. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Cognizant Technology Solutions gives you more. Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Accenture (ACN) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in CTSH
- CTSH’s quarterly revenue growth was 7.4%, vs. ACN’s 6.0%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 7.4%, ahead of ACN’s 6.6%.
- CTSH leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 15.7% and 3-year average of 15.2%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how ACN’s fundamentals stack up against those of CTSH on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| ACN | CTSH | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 14.7 | 11.1 | CTSH |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 6.0% | 7.4% | CTSH |
| Last 12 Months | 6.6% | 7.4% | CTSH |
| Last 3 Year Average | 4.3% | 2.6% | ACN |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 14.4% | 15.7% | CTSH |
| Last 3 Year Average | 14.3% | 15.2% | CTSH |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | -12.0% | 14.7% | CTSH |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: ACN Revenue Comparison | CTSH Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: ACN Operating Income Comparison | CTSH Operating Income Comparison
- GIB Looks Smarter Buy Than Accenture Stock
- Ten-Year Tally: Accenture Stock Delivers $60 Bil Gain
- Has Accenture Stock Quietly Become a Value Opportunity?
- Is Wall Street Underestimating Accenture Stock’s Potential?
- Has Accenture Stock Quietly Become a Value Opportunity?
- Is Wall Street Underestimating Accenture Stock’s Potential?
See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell CTSH Stock and Buy or Sell ACN Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| ACN Return | 61% | -35% | 34% | 2% | -22% | 0% | 11% | ||
| CTSH Return | 10% | -35% | 34% | 3% | 10% | -0% | 9% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 2% | 86% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| ACN Win Rate | 67% | 33% | 67% | 58% | 33% | 50% | 51% | ||
| CTSH Win Rate | 58% | 42% | 58% | 58% | 58% | 50% | 54% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 100% | 71% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| ACN Max Drawdown | -7% | -39% | -7% | -19% | -33% | -3% | -18% | ||
| CTSH Max Drawdown | -18% | -41% | 0% | -14% | -14% | -2% | -15% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -1% | -7% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 2/3/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read CTSH Dip Buyer Analyses and ACN Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about ACN or CTSH? Consider portfolio approach.
Portfolios Beat Stock Picking
Stocks soar and sink – the key is staying invested. A balanced portfolio keeps you in the market, boosts gains and reduces single stock risk
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 – the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.