Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH) vs VeriSign (VRSN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
VeriSign (VRSN) has outperformed Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH) over the past year, gaining 16.0% versus a loss of 12.3%. Over five years, VRSN leads with a +41.6% price change compared with -23.9% for CTSH. VeriSign is the larger company by market cap ($27.46 billion vs $26.67 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Cognizant Technology Solutions is growing revenue faster (+7.0% vs +6.4%).
On valuation, Cognizant Technology Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (9.3x vs 27.5x for VeriSign). Cognizant Technology Solutions offers the higher dividend yield (2.20% vs 1.04%). VeriSign converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 49.8% versus 10.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CTSH | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $59.20 | $303.74 |
| Market cap | $26.67B | $27.46B |
| 1-day change | -1.35% | +2.00% |
| YTD return | -27.70% | +25.02% |
| 1-year return | -12.27% | +15.95% |
| 5-year return | -23.87% | +41.62% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.73 | 32.98 |
| Forward P/E | 9.34 | 27.46 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.65 | $9.21 |
| Dividend yield | 2.20% | 1.04% |
| Annual dividend | $1.30 | $3.16 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.11B | $1.66B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.95% | +6.37% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.23B | $825.70M |
| Gross margin | 33.72% | 88.15% |
| Operating margin | 16.06% | 67.67% |
| Net margin | 10.56% | 49.84% |
| 52-week high | $87.03 | $312.48 |
| 52-week low | $37.08 | $208.86 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.98% | -2.80% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.32% | +6.80% |
| Average volume | 7.64M | 803.85K |
| Shares outstanding | 450.44M | 90.40M |
| Employees | 356,700 | 926 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | EDP Services | EDP Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- VRSN has outperformed CTSH by 28.2 percentage points over the past year.
- VeriSign trades at a higher earnings multiple (33.0x vs 12.7x trailing P/E).
- Cognizant Technology Solutions offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.20% vs 1.04%).
- VeriSign is more profitable, keeping 49.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.6 cents for Cognizant Technology Solutions.
About Cognizant Technology Solutions
CTSH stock →Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, a professional services company, provides consulting and technology, and outsourcing services in North America, Europe, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Financial Services; Health Sciences; Products and Resources; and Communications, Media and Technology.
Technology · EDP Services · 356,700 employees
About VeriSign
VRSN stock →VeriSign, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides internet infrastructure and domain name registry services that enables internet navigation for various recognized domain names worldwide. The company provides root zone maintainer services, operating two of thirteen internet root servers; and offering registration services and authoritative resolution for the .com and .net domains, which supports global e-commerce.
Technology · EDP Services · 926 employees
CTSH vs VRSN FAQ
Which is bigger, Cognizant Technology Solutions or VeriSign?
VeriSign (VRSN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $27.46B compared with $26.67B for Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CTSH or VRSN?
VRSN returned +15.95% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.27% for CTSH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CTSH or VRSN?
CTSH has the lower trailing P/E at 12.7, versus 33.0 for VRSN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Cognizant Technology Solutions or VeriSign?
Cognizant Technology Solutions has the higher yield at 2.20%, compared with 1.04% for VeriSign.
Are Cognizant Technology Solutions and VeriSign in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the EDP Services industry within the Technology sector.