In today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape, data-driven solutions are at the forefront of business innovation. This article compares two prominent companies: Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK). Both firms operate within the technology sector but focus on different aspects of data analytics—Palantir specializes in software for intelligence and operational efficiency, while Verisk provides predictive analytics for risk management across various industries. Join me as we explore which of these companies presents a more compelling investment opportunity.
Table of contents
Company Overview
Palantir Technologies Inc. Overview
Palantir Technologies Inc. specializes in developing software platforms that empower organizations to make data-driven decisions, particularly within the intelligence and defense sectors. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Palantir’s flagship products, Gotham and Foundry, enable users to analyze vast datasets to uncover hidden patterns and insights. Their innovative solutions support counterterrorism operations and enhance organizational efficiency across various industries. With a market cap of $354B and a beta of 1.477, Palantir is positioned as a leading player in the software infrastructure sector, navigating the complexities of big data analytics.
Verisk Analytics, Inc. Overview
Founded in 1971 and based in Jersey City, New Jersey, Verisk Analytics, Inc. provides a suite of data analytics solutions tailored for sectors such as insurance, energy, and financial services. The company’s comprehensive services focus on predictive analytics and decision support, helping clients manage risk and optimize operations. With a market cap of $31B and a beta of 0.817, Verisk stands out in the consulting services industry, leveraging machine learning and AI to enhance its offerings across various segments, including catastrophe risk and economic forecasting.
Key similarities between Palantir and Verisk include their commitment to data analytics and their roles in assisting organizations to make informed decisions. However, while Palantir focuses primarily on software solutions for intelligence and defense, Verisk’s offerings span a broader range of industries, emphasizing risk management and analytics in insurance and financial services.
Income Statement Comparison
The following table presents a comparison of the most recent income statements for Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK), highlighting key financial metrics for each company.
| Metric | [Company A: PLTR] | [Company B: VRSK] |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2.87B | 2.88B |
| EBITDA | 342M | 1.66B |
| EBIT | 310M | 1.35B |
| Net Income | 462M | 958M |
| EPS | 0.21 | 6.74 |
Interpretation of Income Statement
In the most recent fiscal year, both companies showed solid revenue performance, with PLTR at 2.87B and VRSK at 2.88B. PLTR’s revenue increased significantly from 2.22B in the previous year, indicating strong growth. While PLTR is still improving its profitability with a net income of 462M, VRSK demonstrates greater stability and higher margins, evidenced by its net income of 958M. VRSK’s EBITDA margin remains robust, reflecting efficient operations. Overall, PLTR’s growth trajectory is promising, but it must focus on enhancing its margins to match VRSK’s established performance.
Financial Ratios Comparison
The following table presents a comparative overview of the most recent financial metrics and ratios for Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK).
| Metric | [Company A: PLTR] | [Company B: VRSK] |
|---|---|---|
| ROE | 9.24% | 9.57% |
| ROIC | 5.47% | 27.21% |
| P/E | 368.20 | 40.89 |
| P/B | 34.01 | 391.15 |
| Current Ratio | 5.96 | 0.74 |
| Quick Ratio | 5.96 | 0.74 |
| D/E | 0.05 | 32.43 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 0.04 | 0.76 |
| Interest Coverage | 0.00 | 10.06 |
| Asset Turnover | 0.45 | 0.68 |
| Fixed Asset Turnover | 11.92 | 3.78 |
| Payout ratio | 0.00 | 23.11% |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.57% |
Interpretation of Financial Ratios
In comparing the financial ratios of PLTR and VRSK, I observe a stark contrast in their risk profiles and operational efficiency. PLTR shows a high current and quick ratio, indicating excellent liquidity, but its astronomical P/E and P/B ratios suggest overvaluation, compounded by zero dividend payouts. Conversely, VRSK demonstrates solid profitability metrics, including a strong ROIC and reasonable debt levels, but its high debt-to-equity ratio raises some concern regarding leverage. Investors should weigh these factors carefully when considering their investment strategy.
Dividend and Shareholder Returns
Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) does not pay dividends, focusing instead on reinvestment for growth and innovation. This strategy aligns with its high growth phase, although it leads to a lack of immediate returns for shareholders. The company engages in share buybacks, which can enhance shareholder value by reducing share dilution.
Conversely, Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) pays a modest annual dividend, with a payout ratio of approximately 23%. Its consistent dividend policy, coupled with buybacks, reflects a balanced approach to returning capital to shareholders while investing in growth initiatives. Both companies’ strategies warrant careful analysis regarding sustainable long-term value creation.
Strategic Positioning
Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) commands a significant share in the software infrastructure market, leveraging its advanced data analytics platforms for government and commercial applications. Meanwhile, Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) excels in providing predictive analytics across various industries, creating robust benchmarks for risk management. Both companies face competitive pressure from emerging technologies and traditional analytics firms, highlighting the need for continuous innovation to maintain their market positions.
Stock Comparison
In evaluating the stock performance of Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK), we observe significant price movements and trading dynamics over the past year, reflecting distinct trends and investor sentiment.
Trend Analysis
Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR): Over the past year, PLTR has experienced a remarkable price increase of 801.86%. This substantial rise indicates a bullish trend, although the trend is currently showing signs of deceleration. The stock has fluctuated between a low of 15.98 and a high of 200.47, with a standard deviation of 57.07, highlighting considerable volatility. Recently, from September 7 to November 23, 2025, the stock recorded a modest increase of 1.14%, suggesting a neutral trend during this period, with a standard deviation of 11.98.
Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK): In contrast, VRSK has seen a decline of 6.57% over the past year, categorizing it as a bearish trend, yet it is also experiencing deceleration. The stock’s price has ranged from a low of 214.66 to a high of 319.60, with a standard deviation of 25.83 indicating lower volatility compared to PLTR. In the recent period from September 7 to November 23, 2025, VRSK’s price decreased by 17.44%, reinforcing its bearish outlook with a standard deviation of 17.22.
Analyst Opinions
Recent analyst recommendations for Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) indicate a “Buy” rating, primarily supported by strong return on assets (5) and return on equity (4) scores, despite a lower performance in price-to-earnings metrics (1). Analysts emphasize its potential growth in data analytics. Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) has received a “Buy” rating as well, with a B+ score reflecting robust fundamentals, particularly in discounted cash flow (4) and return on equity (5). The consensus for both companies leans towards a “Buy” for the current year, suggesting positive sentiment in the market.
Stock Grades
In this section, I’ll present the latest stock grades from recognized grading companies for Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK).
Palantir Technologies Inc. Grades
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cantor Fitzgerald | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| UBS | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| Goldman Sachs | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| B of A Securities | maintain | Buy | 2025-11-04 |
| Piper Sandler | maintain | Overweight | 2025-11-04 |
| DA Davidson | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| RBC Capital | maintain | Underperform | 2025-11-04 |
| Baird | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| Morgan Stanley | maintain | Equal Weight | 2025-11-04 |
| Mizuho | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
Verisk Analytics, Inc. Grades
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP Morgan | maintain | Overweight | 2025-10-30 |
| RBC Capital | maintain | Outperform | 2025-10-30 |
| Goldman Sachs | maintain | Neutral | 2025-10-30 |
| Evercore ISI Group | maintain | In Line | 2025-10-30 |
| Barclays | upgrade | Overweight | 2025-10-30 |
| Wells Fargo | maintain | Overweight | 2025-10-30 |
| Rothschild & Co | downgrade | Sell | 2025-10-16 |
| Evercore ISI Group | maintain | In Line | 2025-10-14 |
| Wells Fargo | maintain | Overweight | 2025-09-17 |
| Raymond James | maintain | Outperform | 2025-08-04 |
The overall trend in grades indicates that while Palantir Technologies is maintaining a cautious outlook with mostly neutral ratings, Verisk Analytics has shown a mix of upgrades and consistent support from various analysts, suggesting a more positive sentiment in its evaluations.
Target Prices
The consensus target prices for Palantir Technologies Inc. and Verisk Analytics, Inc. indicate positive expectations from analysts.
| Company | Target High | Target Low | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palantir Technologies Inc. | 215 | 160 | 196.09 |
| Verisk Analytics, Inc. | 334 | 239 | 283.6 |
Analysts project Palantir’s stock could reach a consensus price of $196.09, while it’s currently trading at $154.85, suggesting potential upside. For Verisk, the consensus is $283.6 compared to its current price of $223.16, also indicating room for growth.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The following table summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) based on recent financial data.
| Criterion | Palantir Technologies (PLTR) | Verisk Analytics (VRSK) |
|---|---|---|
| Diversification | Moderate | High |
| Profitability | Moderate | Strong |
| Innovation | High | Moderate |
| Global presence | Moderate | Strong |
| Market Share | Low | High |
| Debt level | Low | High |
Key takeaways indicate that while Palantir has strong innovation and a low debt level, its market share and profitability are concerns. Conversely, Verisk shows strong profitability and market presence, but it carries a higher debt load. Balancing these factors is crucial for investment decisions.
Risk Analysis
In the following table, I outline the major risks associated with two companies, Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK), to help you assess their potential impact on your investment decisions.
| Metric | Palantir Technologies Inc. | Verisk Analytics, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market Risk | High | Medium |
| Regulatory Risk | Medium | Medium |
| Operational Risk | Medium | Low |
| Environmental Risk | Low | Medium |
| Geopolitical Risk | High | Medium |
Both companies face significant market risks, especially in a volatile economic environment. Palantir is more exposed to geopolitical risks due to its government contracts and reliance on defense spending, while Verisk deals with operational risks related to its analytics services.
Which one to choose?
When comparing Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK), both companies demonstrate strengths in their respective areas. Palantir shows a robust gross profit margin of 80.25% and a significant rise in revenue to $2.87B for FY 2024, driven by a bullish stock trend with an impressive 801.86% price change over the past year. In contrast, Verisk reports lower profitability with a net profit margin of 33.23% and a revenue of $2.88B, but maintains a solid overall rating of B+ with strong return metrics.
For growth-focused investors, PLTR appears favorable due to its aggressive revenue growth and bullish stock trend. However, those prioritizing stability may prefer VRSK, which has a steady performance despite recent bearish trends. Both companies face risks, including competition and market dependence, that could impact future performance.
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 Palantir Technologies Inc. and Verisk Analytics, Inc. to enhance your investment decisions:
