In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, two prominent players stand out: Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC). Both companies operate within the Software – Application industry, providing innovative solutions that cater to diverse sectors, including engineering and design. Their overlapping market presence and distinct approaches to innovation make them compelling subjects for comparison. I invite you to explore this analysis as we determine which of these companies might be the more attractive investment opportunity for your portfolio.
Table of contents
Company Overview
Autodesk, Inc. Overview
Autodesk, Inc. is a leading provider of 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, with a mission to empower innovators across various industries. Headquartered in San Rafael, California, Autodesk offers a range of products including AutoCAD, BIM 360, and Fusion 360, which serve professionals in architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. With a market cap of approximately $65.1B and a workforce of 15,300 employees, Autodesk positions itself as a pivotal player in the software application industry. The company’s emphasis on cloud-based solutions and collaboration tools reflects its commitment to enhancing productivity and creativity among its users.
PTC Inc. Overview
PTC Inc., headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, operates as a software and services company focused on digital transformation. Its mission is to enable businesses to innovate faster and more efficiently through its platform, which includes ThingWorx for IoT solutions and Vuforia for augmented reality applications. PTC has a market cap of around $20.8B and employs 7,512 individuals. The company’s diverse offerings, including CAD solutions and product lifecycle management software, underline its strategic focus on integrating advanced technologies to optimize product development processes.
Key Similarities and Differences
Both Autodesk and PTC operate within the software application industry and cater to engineering and design professionals. However, Autodesk primarily focuses on 3D design and modeling, while PTC emphasizes digital transformation through IoT and AR technologies. Autodesk’s offerings are more aligned with creative design processes, whereas PTC targets product lifecycle management and enterprise solutions, reflecting distinct business strategies in the tech landscape.
Income Statement Comparison
The table below compares the income statements of Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC) for the most recent fiscal year, highlighting key financial metrics.
| Metric | Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) | PTC Inc. (PTC) |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 6.13B | 2.74B |
| EBITDA | 1.55B | 1.06B |
| EBIT | 1.37B | 0.93B |
| Net Income | 1.11B | 741M |
| EPS | 5.17 | 6.18 |
Interpretation of Income Statement
In 2025, Autodesk reported a revenue increase to 6.13B, up from 5.44B in 2024, reflecting a robust growth trajectory. Meanwhile, PTC also demonstrated revenue growth to 2.74B from 2.30B in 2024. Autodesk’s net income rose to 1.11B, indicating improved profitability, while PTC’s net income reached 741M. Despite growing revenues for both firms, Autodesk exhibited stronger margins, particularly in EBITDA, which highlights efficient cost management. PTC’s EPS of 6.18 suggests a solid return for investors, but Autodesk’s higher EPS reflects its stronger overall profitability, making it a more attractive option in the current market.
Financial Ratios Comparison
The table below presents a comparison of key financial metrics and ratios for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC) for the most recent fiscal year.
| Metric | Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) | PTC Inc. (PTC) |
|---|---|---|
| ROE | 42.43% | 19.33% |
| ROIC | 18.01% | 14.77% |
| P/E | 60.20 | 32.88 |
| P/B | 25.54 | 6.36 |
| Current Ratio | 0.68 | 0.96 |
| Quick Ratio | 0.68 | 0.96 |
| D/E | 0.98 | 0.36 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 23.62% | 20.68% |
| Interest Coverage | 0 | 4.91 |
| Asset Turnover | 0.57 | 0.41 |
| Fixed Asset Turnover | 21.44 | 15.58 |
| Payout ratio | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend yield | 0% | 0% |
Interpretation of Financial Ratios
Overall, Autodesk shows strong profitability metrics, reflected in high ROE and ROIC compared to PTC. However, its high P/E and P/B ratios suggest elevated market expectations. Both companies have low current and quick ratios, indicating potential liquidity concerns, while Autodesk’s interest coverage ratio signals a high risk of financial distress. PTC, while performing decently, has lower profitability and higher leverage metrics. Investors should proceed with caution, focusing on the sustainability of growth and risk management strategies.
Dividend and Shareholder Returns
Both Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC) do not pay dividends, reflecting a focus on reinvestment strategies and growth phases. Autodesk reallocates capital towards R&D and acquisitions, while PTC’s strong profit margins suggest a similar approach. Although neither company offers dividends, they engage in share buybacks, which can enhance shareholder value by reducing share dilution. Ultimately, their strategies prioritize long-term value creation, albeit with inherent risks associated with not distributing profits directly to shareholders.
Strategic Positioning
Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) holds a significant market share in the 3D design software sector, driven by its comprehensive suite of applications like AutoCAD and Fusion 360. Meanwhile, PTC Inc. (PTC) focuses on digital transformation with products like ThingWorx and Vuforia. Both companies face competitive pressure from emerging technologies and innovative startups. As the industry evolves, staying ahead of technological disruptions is crucial for maintaining their market positions and profitability.
Stock Comparison
In this section, I will analyze the stock price movements and trading dynamics of Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC) over the past year, highlighting key price actions and trends.
Trend Analysis
For Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK), the overall price change over the past year is +32.58%. This indicates a bullish trend, although it is worth noting that the trend is currently experiencing deceleration. The stock reached a high of 326.37 and a low of 201.6. In the recent analysis from September 14, 2025, to November 30, 2025, the stock has seen a price change of -4.62% with a standard deviation of 10.35, indicating some volatility in this period.
In contrast, PTC Inc. (PTC) shows an overall price increase of +4.75% over the past year, also reflecting a bullish trend but with deceleration. The stock’s highest price was 215.05, while the lowest was 139.77. However, in the recent period from September 14, 2025, to November 30, 2025, PTC’s price has decreased by -15.3%, with a standard deviation of 13.12, suggesting notable volatility during this time.
In summary, while both stocks have shown bullish trends over the year, recent movements indicate short-term challenges, particularly for PTC, which has faced a more significant decline.
Analyst Opinions
Recent recommendations for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) have received a “B” rating, indicating a cautious buy, with analysts noting solid return on equity and assets. Notable analysts highlight the company’s strong fundamentals but point to a low score in price-to-earnings, suggesting some valuation concerns.
In contrast, PTC Inc. (PTC) has garnered a “B+” rating, also signaling a buy consensus. Analysts emphasize its favorable discounted cash flow and strong asset returns as key strengths. Overall, the consensus for both companies remains a buy for 2025, albeit with some caution regarding valuation metrics.
Stock Grades
I have analyzed the most recent stock grades from reputable grading companies for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC). Here are the findings:
Autodesk, Inc. Grades
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bank | upgrade | Buy | 2025-11-26 |
| Rosenblatt | maintain | Buy | 2025-11-26 |
| Rosenblatt | maintain | Buy | 2025-11-24 |
| Baird | maintain | Outperform | 2025-11-18 |
| Citigroup | maintain | Buy | 2025-11-14 |
| RBC Capital | maintain | Outperform | 2025-10-06 |
| HSBC | upgrade | Buy | 2025-10-01 |
| Morgan Stanley | maintain | Overweight | 2025-09-02 |
| Citigroup | maintain | Buy | 2025-09-02 |
| B of A Securities | maintain | Neutral | 2025-08-29 |
PTC Inc. Grades
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper Sandler | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-07 |
| Rosenblatt | maintain | Buy | 2025-11-06 |
| Rosenblatt | maintain | Buy | 2025-10-30 |
| Barclays | maintain | Overweight | 2025-07-31 |
| Piper Sandler | maintain | Neutral | 2025-07-31 |
| Oppenheimer | maintain | Outperform | 2025-07-31 |
| Rosenblatt | maintain | Buy | 2025-07-31 |
| Keybanc | maintain | Overweight | 2025-07-31 |
| RBC Capital | maintain | Outperform | 2025-07-31 |
| Stifel | maintain | Buy | 2025-07-31 |
In summary, Autodesk has received some upgrades to “Buy,” indicating a positive trend in investor sentiment. Meanwhile, PTC has maintained a steady outlook with its grades primarily holding at “Buy” and “Neutral,” suggesting a stable market position.
Target Prices
Reliable target price data indicates a constructive outlook from analysts for both Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC).
| Company | Target High | Target Low | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autodesk, Inc. | 400 | 343 | 373.4 |
| PTC Inc. | 255 | 120 | 213.25 |
Analysts expect Autodesk, Inc. to reach a consensus target of 373.4, which suggests a potential upside from its current price of 304.49. For PTC Inc., the consensus target of 213.25 also indicates a favorable outlook compared to its current price of 173.84.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Below is a comparative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC) based on the most recent data.
| Criterion | Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) | PTC Inc. (PTC) |
|---|---|---|
| Diversification | Moderate | High |
| Profitability | High (Net Margin: 18.1%) | Moderate (Net Margin: 27.1%) |
| Innovation | Strong | Strong |
| Global presence | Strong | Strong |
| Market Share | Moderate | Moderate |
| Debt level | Moderate (Debt-to-Equity: 0.98) | Low (Debt-to-Equity: 0.36) |
Key takeaways from this analysis indicate that while Autodesk shows high profitability and strong innovation, PTC excels in diversification and maintains a lower debt level, which can be beneficial for risk management.
Risk Analysis
Below is a summary of potential risks associated with Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC), which may impact their financial performance.
| Metric | Autodesk, Inc. | PTC Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market Risk | High | Moderate |
| Regulatory Risk | Moderate | Moderate |
| Operational Risk | Moderate | High |
| Environmental Risk | Low | Moderate |
| Geopolitical Risk | Low | High |
Both companies face significant market risk due to fluctuating demand in the software sector. Operational challenges, particularly for PTC, could impact profitability, compounded by geopolitical tensions affecting global supply chains.
Which one to choose?
In evaluating Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) and PTC Inc. (PTC), both companies exhibit strong fundamentals but with varying strengths. ADSK has a higher gross profit margin of 91% compared to PTC’s 82%, indicating potentially better cost management. However, PTC offers a more favorable price-to-earnings ratio (32.9 vs. 60.2), suggesting it may be undervalued relative to its earnings.
Analyst ratings show both companies at a “B” level, but PTC receives a slight edge with a “B+” rating. In terms of stock performance, ADSK has seen a substantial price increase of 32.6% over the past year, while PTC’s rise is more modest at 4.8%.
Investors focused on growth may prefer ADSK due to its higher margins, while those prioritizing value and stability might find PTC more appealing given its lower valuation metrics. Both companies face risks such as competition and market dependence.
Disclaimer: This article is not financial advice. Each investor is responsible for their own investment decisions.
Go further
I encourage you to read the complete analyses of Autodesk, Inc. and PTC Inc. to enhance your investment decisions:
