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The strategic rivalry between F5, Inc. and CCC Intelligent Solutions defines the current trajectory of the software infrastructure sector. F5 operates as a capital-intensive provider of multi-cloud application security and delivery solutions, while CCC focuses on AI-driven SaaS platforms for the property and casualty insurance economy. This analysis pits infrastructure scale against specialized innovation to identify which corporate path offers superior risk-adjusted returns for a diversified portfolio.

F5 vs CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings: Company Comparison
Table of contents

Companies Overview

F5, Inc. and CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. shape critical niches within the software infrastructure market.

F5, Inc.: Multi-Cloud Application Security Leader

F5, Inc. dominates multi-cloud application security and delivery. Its revenue stems from hardware appliances and software modules securing network applications across architectures. In 2026, F5 focuses on expanding cloud-native security solutions, integrating with major cloud providers to secure and optimize enterprise applications globally.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.: AI-Driven Insurance Tech Innovator

CCC Intelligent Solutions leads in AI-powered SaaS for the insurance economy. It monetizes by digitizing workflows for carriers, repairers, and suppliers through cloud and telematics platforms. The company prioritizes enhancing AI analytics and expanding its ecosystem to streamline insurance commerce and claims processing in 2026.

Strategic Collision: Similarities & Divergences

Both firms excel in software infrastructure but diverge in focus—F5 builds a closed ecosystem securing multi-cloud apps, while CCC drives an open platform connecting insurance stakeholders. Their battleground lies in delivering scalable, secure cloud solutions. F5 appeals as a robust security play; CCC targets growth through AI-enabled industry digitization.

Income Statement Comparison

This data dissects the core profitability and scalability of both corporate engines to reveal who dominates the bottom line:

income comparison
MetricF5, Inc. (FFIV)CCC Intelligent Solutions (CCCS)
Revenue3.1B945M
Cost of Revenue564M231M
Operating Expenses1.76B634M
Gross Profit2.52B714M
EBITDA901M233M
EBIT808M109M
Interest Expense065M
Net Income692M26M
EPS11.950.043
Fiscal Year20252024

Income Statement Analysis: The Bottom-Line Duel

This income statement comparison reveals the true efficiency and profitability of each company’s operational engine over recent years.

F5, Inc. Analysis

F5, Inc. shows a strong revenue climb to 3.09B in 2025, up from 2.81B in 2024, with net income rising sharply to 692M. Its gross margin remains robust at 81.7%, and net margin stands healthy at 22.4%. The 2025 results reveal accelerating profitability and operational efficiency, supported by a 21% EBIT growth.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. Analysis

CCC Intelligent Solutions grows revenue steadily to 945M in 2024, up 9% year-over-year, with net income turning positive at 26M after previous losses. Gross margin is solid at 75.6%, but net margin is thin at 2.8%. The company shows remarkable momentum in EBIT growth (619%) and net margin expansion, reflecting a strong operational turnaround.

Margin Power vs. Momentum Growth

F5, Inc. dominates with superior margins and consistent profit gains, delivering scale and high efficiency. CCC Intelligent Solutions impresses with rapid earnings recovery and revenue growth but remains a lower-margin business. For investors, F5 offers stability and profitability, while CCC presents a higher-risk, high-growth turnaround profile.

Financial Ratios Comparison

These vital ratios act as a diagnostic tool to expose underlying fiscal health, valuation premiums, and capital efficiency across companies:

RatiosF5, Inc. (FFIV)CCC Intelligent Solutions (CCCS)
ROE19.3%1.3%
ROIC14.0%1.9%
P/E26.9274.0
P/B5.193.59
Current Ratio1.563.65
Quick Ratio1.513.65
D/E (Debt-to-Equity)0.060.42
Debt-to-Assets3.7%26.7%
Interest CoverageN/A1.24
Asset Turnover0.490.30
Fixed Asset Turnover9.024.68
Payout ratio0%0%
Dividend yield0%0%
Fiscal Year20252024

Efficiency & Valuation Duel: The Vital Signs

Financial ratios act as a company’s DNA, revealing hidden risks and operational strengths beyond headline figures.

F5, Inc.

F5, Inc. delivers strong profitability with a 19.3% ROE and a 22.4% net margin, signaling robust operational efficiency. The stock trades at a stretched 26.9 P/E and 5.2 P/B, reflecting high investor expectations. Despite no dividend, F5 reinvests heavily in R&D, supporting future growth and technological leadership.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

Data for CCC Intelligent Solutions’ key ratios and valuation is unavailable, preventing a thorough analysis. Without this transparency, assessing profitability, efficiency, or shareholder returns is impossible. This lack of visibility poses uncertainty for investors seeking measurable financial health and value.

Clear Edge for F5 in Ratio Transparency and Operational Strength

F5, Inc. shows a favorable ratio profile with solid returns and a clear reinvestment strategy. CCC’s missing data limits risk assessment and valuation clarity. Investors prioritizing transparency and proven profitability will find F5’s profile more reliable for balancing risk and reward.

Which one offers the Superior Shareholder Reward?

F5, Inc. (FFIV) opts for zero dividends but delivers strong free cash flow of 15.7/share and maintains a disciplined buyback strategy. CCC Intelligent Solutions (CCCS) also pays no dividends, reinvesting heavily in growth with weaker free cash flow (0.38/share) and limited buybacks. FFIV’s robust margins, sustainable cash flow, and capital efficiency offer a superior total return profile. CCCS bears elevated risk with thin profits and higher leverage, making FFIV the smarter choice for long-term shareholder reward in 2026.

Comparative Score Analysis: The Strategic Profile

The radar chart reveals the fundamental DNA and trade-offs of F5, Inc. and CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc., highlighting their financial strengths and vulnerabilities:

scores comparison

F5, Inc. exhibits a balanced profile with strong ROA (5) and ROE (4) scores, indicating efficient asset and equity utilization. CCC lacks comparable data, preventing direct benchmarking, but F5’s moderate debt-to-equity (3) and lower valuation scores (PE/PB at 2) suggest some caution on price and leverage. Overall, F5 relies on operational efficiency while maintaining moderate valuation risks.

Bankruptcy Risk: Solvency Showdown

F5, Inc.’s Altman Z-Score of 5.32 places it firmly in the safe zone, signaling robust long-term solvency. CCC’s score of 2.18 sits in the grey zone, implying moderate bankruptcy risk in this economic cycle:

altman z score comparison

Financial Health: Quality of Operations

F5’s Piotroski F-Score of 7 suggests strong financial health with solid profitability and operational metrics. CCC’s score of 3 raises red flags, indicating weaker internal financial conditions and higher risk:

piotroski f score comparison

How are the two companies positioned?

This section dissects the operational DNA of F5 and CCC by comparing their revenue distribution and internal dynamics. Our goal is to confront their economic moats and identify which model offers the most resilient competitive advantage today.

Revenue Segmentation: The Strategic Mix

This visual comparison dissects how F5, Inc. and CCC Intelligent Solutions diversify their income streams and highlights each company’s core sector focus:

revenue by segment comparison

F5, Inc. balances revenue between Product ($1.51B) and Service ($1.58B), showing a well-rounded portfolio that mitigates concentration risk. CCC Intelligent Solutions relies heavily on Software Subscriptions ($906M), dwarfing its Other Services ($38M). F5’s dual revenue streams suggest ecosystem lock-in and infrastructure dominance. In contrast, CCC’s reliance on subscriptions signals steady recurring income but exposes it to subscription market fluctuations.

Strengths and Weaknesses Comparison

This table compares the strengths and weaknesses of F5, Inc. and CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.:

F5 Strengths

  • Balanced revenue from products and services
  • Favorable profitability ratios including net margin and ROIC
  • Strong liquidity with current and quick ratios above 1.5
  • Low debt levels and high interest coverage
  • Global presence across Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific

CCC Strengths

  • Growing software subscription revenue base
  • Concentrated presence in Americas with increasing sales
  • Revenue growth in software subscriptions suggests innovation focus

F5 Weaknesses

  • Unfavorable valuation multiples (high P/E and P/B)
  • Dividend yield is zero, limiting income appeal
  • Asset turnover ratio below ideal level, indicating efficiency concerns

CCC Weaknesses

  • Limited diversification with heavy reliance on software subscriptions and Americas region
  • Missing key financial ratio data restricts full analysis
  • Small revenue contribution from China, indicating limited global reach

F5’s diverse global footprint and solid financial health contrast with CCC’s narrower market and data gaps. F5’s valuation multiples and efficiency need monitoring, while CCC’s limited diversification and transparency pose challenges for strategic clarity.

The Moat Duel: Analyzing Competitive Defensibility

A structural moat is the only thing protecting long-term profits from the erosion of competition. Let’s dissect the key competitive advantages of these two tech firms:

F5, Inc.: Durable Value Creator through High ROIC and Innovation

F5’s moat rests on strong intangible assets and switching costs, reflected in its 5.7% ROIC premium over WACC and stable 26% EBIT margin. Its multi-cloud security solutions deepen this moat in 2026 amid rising cyber threats.

CCC Intelligent Solutions: Emerging AI-Driven Network Effects

CCC leverages AI and cloud platforms to build network effects within the insurance ecosystem. Though lacking ROIC data, its rapid revenue growth and expanding user base suggest a strengthening competitive position, with opportunities to disrupt legacy workflows.

Moat Strength Showdown: Intangible Assets vs. AI Network Effects

F5 exhibits a wider and more durable moat, proven by consistent ROIC growth and margin stability. CCC’s moat shows promise but remains less proven without key profitability metrics. F5 is better equipped to defend its market share long term.

Which stock offers better returns?

Over the past year, F5, Inc. showed strong price gains with accelerating momentum, while CCC Intelligent Solutions tanked sharply, reflecting divergent trading dynamics and investor sentiment.

stock price comparison

Trend Comparison

F5, Inc. posted a bullish 42.85% price increase over 12 months, with accelerating gains and a high volatility of 48.51, peaking at 331.75. Recent months show continued upward momentum.

CCC Intelligent Solutions dropped 31.78% in the same period, with decelerating losses and very low volatility of 1.24, bottoming at 7.22. Its recent trend remains negative and weak.

F5, Inc. clearly outperformed CCC Intelligent Solutions, delivering the highest market return with strong positive momentum versus CCC’s sustained decline.

Target Prices

Analysts project solid upside potential for F5, Inc. and CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

CompanyTarget LowTarget HighConsensus
F5, Inc.295352330.67
CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.111111

F5’s consensus target at $331 suggests a 20% premium over its $276 stock price, reflecting confidence in its cloud security moat. CCC’s $11 target implies moderate upside from $8.75, indicating measured optimism amid competitive pressure.

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How do institutions grade them?

The following tables summarize the latest reliable institutional grades for the two companies:

F5, Inc. Grades

Here are the recent grades and rating actions from major financial institutions:

Grading CompanyActionNew GradeDate
NeedhamMaintainHold2026-01-28
Piper SandlerMaintainOverweight2026-01-28
Goldman SachsMaintainNeutral2026-01-28
BarclaysMaintainEqual Weight2026-01-28
RBC CapitalMaintainOutperform2026-01-28
JP MorganUpgradeOverweight2026-01-15
Piper SandlerUpgradeOverweight2026-01-05
RBC CapitalUpgradeOutperform2026-01-05
Morgan StanleyMaintainEqual Weight2025-12-17
Morgan StanleyMaintainEqual Weight2025-10-28

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. Grades

No reliable institutional grades are available for CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

Which company has the best grades?

F5, Inc. holds a range of grades primarily from Hold to Outperform, with recent upgrades indicating growing institutional confidence. CCC Intelligent Solutions lacks any available institutional grades, which may limit investor visibility and confidence compared to F5, Inc.

Risks specific to each company

The following categories identify the critical pressure points and systemic threats facing both firms in the 2026 market environment:

1. Market & Competition

F5, Inc.

  • Established player with strong multi-cloud security but faces fierce competition from cloud-native vendors.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

  • Smaller, newer entrant with niche AI-driven insurance solutions but limited scale and market penetration.

2. Capital Structure & Debt

F5, Inc.

  • Extremely low debt-to-equity (0.06), indicating strong balance sheet and low financial risk.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

  • No available data on debt metrics, raising transparency concerns about financial leverage.

3. Stock Volatility

F5, Inc.

  • Beta near 1 (0.975) suggests stock moves roughly with market, moderate volatility.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

  • Low beta (0.721) indicates less volatility but also potentially lower investor interest and liquidity.

F5, Inc.

  • Operates globally with exposure to data privacy and cybersecurity regulations, requiring constant compliance vigilance.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

  • AI and telematics usage in insurance increases regulatory scrutiny, particularly on data use and consumer protection.

5. Supply Chain & Operations

F5, Inc.

  • Relies on hardware-software integration and partnerships with cloud providers; supply chain disruptions could impact delivery.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

  • SaaS model reduces physical supply dependencies but depends heavily on cloud infrastructure and data centers.

6. ESG & Climate Transition

F5, Inc.

  • Technology firm with moderate ESG risks; energy use in data centers and hardware production are concerns.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

  • Emerging focus on AI ethics and sustainability in insurance tech; ESG disclosures remain limited.

7. Geopolitical Exposure

F5, Inc.

  • Global footprint exposes it to geopolitical tensions affecting cloud partnerships and data flows.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.

  • Primarily US-focused, limiting direct geopolitical risk but sensitive to domestic policy shifts.

Which company shows a better risk-adjusted profile?

F5, Inc. presents a stronger risk-adjusted profile due to its solid financial health, transparent capital structure, and diversified global presence. CCC Intelligent Solutions faces higher uncertainty from limited financial disclosure and regulatory risks tied to AI in insurance. The most pressing risk for F5 is the intensifying cloud competition, while CCC’s critical risk lies in its financial opacity and regulatory environment. F5’s Altman Z-score of 5.3 confirms its safe zone status, contrasting with CCC’s grey zone score of 2.18, underscoring my caution on CCC’s financial stability and governance.

Final Verdict: Which stock to choose?

F5, Inc. (FFIV) excels as a cash-generating powerhouse with a durable competitive moat, proven by its growing ROIC well above WACC. Its efficiency and profitability stand out in a challenging tech landscape. A point of vigilance remains its relatively high valuation multiples. FFIV suits investors seeking aggressive growth with solid fundamentals.

CCC Intelligent Solutions (CCCS) offers an intriguing growth story anchored by specialized market positioning and recurring revenue streams. However, it carries heightened risks, reflected in weaker financial stability and a more volatile share price. Compared to FFIV, CCCS fits investors who tolerate higher uncertainty for potential turnaround gains, aligning with a GARP approach.

If you prioritize resilient profitability and capital efficiency, FFIV is the compelling choice due to its strong economic moat and favorable risk profile. However, if you seek growth leveraged to niche market opportunities and can accept greater financial volatility, CCCS offers a speculative but potentially rewarding scenario. Both require careful risk assessment aligned with your portfolio strategy.

Disclaimer: Investment carries a risk of loss of initial capital. The past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Be sure to understand risks before making an investment decision.

Go Further

I encourage you to read the complete analyses of F5, Inc. and CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. to enhance your investment decisions: