Between Gen Digital and ServiceNow, Which Stock Looks Set to Break Out?

NOW: ServiceNow logo
NOW
ServiceNow

ServiceNow fell -25% during the past Month. 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 Gen Digital gives you more. Gen Digital (GEN) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs ServiceNow (NOW) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in GEN

  • GEN’s quarterly revenue growth was 25.8%, vs. NOW’s 20.7%.
  • In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 21.5%, ahead of NOW’s 20.9%.
  • GEN leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 37.3% and 3-year average of 36.0%.

These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how NOW’s fundamentals stack up against those of GEN on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.

Trefis

Valuation & Performance Overview

  NOW GEN Preferred
     
Valuation      
P/EBIT Ratio 58.8 8.1 GEN
     
Revenue Growth      
Last Quarter 20.7% 25.8% GEN
Last 12 Months 20.9% 21.5% GEN
Last 3 Year Average 22.4% 15.3% NOW
     
Operating Margins      
Last 12 Months 13.7% 37.3% GEN
Last 3 Year Average 11.5% 36.0% GEN
     
Momentum      
Last 3 Year Return 12.7% 16.6% GEN

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: NOW Revenue Comparison | GEN Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: NOW Operating Income Comparison | GEN Operating Income Comparison

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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell GEN Stock and Buy or Sell NOW 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
NOW Return 18% -40% 82% 50% -28% -34% -9%    
GEN Return 28% -16% 9% 22% 1% -9% 32%    
S&P 500 Return 27% -19% 24% 23% 16% 1% 85%   <===
Monthly Win Rates [3]
NOW Win Rate 50% 17% 75% 75% 33% 0%   42%  
GEN Win Rate 58% 42% 67% 75% 58% 50%   58%  
S&P 500 Win Rate 75% 42% 67% 75% 67% 100%   71% <===
Max Drawdowns [4]
NOW Max Drawdown -17% -47% -6% -9% -32% -34%   -24%  
GEN Max Drawdown -6% -21% -27% -13% -14% -18%   -16%  
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 2/12/2026 (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 GEN Dip Buyer Analyses and NOW Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.

Still not sure about NOW or GEN? Consider portfolio approach.

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