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EPAM Systems, Inc. transforms how businesses harness digital technology, delivering cutting-edge software engineering and platform solutions that power industries worldwide. As a dominant force in information technology services, EPAM excels in digital platform engineering, smart automation, and advanced consulting, serving sectors from finance to healthcare. Renowned for innovation and quality, the company continuously expands its market influence. Yet, in today’s evolving tech landscape, the key question remains: do EPAM’s fundamentals justify its current valuation and growth prospects?

EPAM Systems, Inc. Analysis
Table of contents

Business Model & Company Overview

EPAM Systems, Inc., founded in 1993 and headquartered in Newtown, Pennsylvania, stands as a leader in Information Technology Services with a workforce of 61,200 employees. It delivers a cohesive ecosystem of digital platform engineering, software development, and consulting services, covering everything from requirements analysis to smart automation and physical product development such as AI and robotics. EPAM’s integrated approach serves diverse industries including financial services, healthcare, and hi-tech, positioning it as a critical partner in digital transformation worldwide.

The company’s revenue engine balances comprehensive engineering services with infrastructure management and ongoing maintenance, supported by digital and technical advisory consulting. EPAM’s global footprint spans the Americas, Europe, and Asia, enabling it to capture demand in key markets. Its ability to blend software innovation with operational solutions forms a robust competitive advantage, underpinning its economic moat and shaping the future of technology services.

Financial Performance & Fundamental Metrics

This section analyzes EPAM Systems, Inc.’s income statement, key financial ratios, and dividend payout policy to assess its overall financial health and stability.

Income Statement

The table below presents EPAM Systems, Inc.’s key income statement figures over the past five fiscal years, showing trends in revenue, profitability, and earnings per share.

income statement
20202021202220232024
Revenue2.66B3.76B4.82B4.69B4.73B
Cost of Revenue1.73B2.48B3.29B3.26B3.28B
Operating Expenses548M732M965M933M906M
Gross Profit927M1.27B1.54B1.43B1.45B
EBITDA509M680M713M660M672M
EBIT379M535M573M527M545M
Interest Expense01.7M000
Net Income327M482M419M417M455M
EPS5.878.527.327.217.93
Filing Date2021-02-252022-02-252023-02-242024-02-222025-02-28

Income Statement Evolution

From 2020 to 2024, EPAM Systems, Inc. experienced a 77.78% increase in revenue, reflecting strong top-line growth, although the 0.8% growth in 2024 was unfavorable, indicating a slowdown. Net income grew by 38.93% over the period, with net margin declining by 21.85%, signaling some margin pressure despite overall profitability. Gross and EBIT margins remained favorable at 30.68% and 11.52%, respectively, showing operational efficiency.

Is the Income Statement Favorable?

In 2024, EPAM reported revenue of $4.73B and net income of $455M, with a net margin of 9.61%, marking an 8.12% improvement in net margin year-over-year. EBIT margin stood at a favorable 11.52%, supported by stable operating expenses relative to revenue growth. Absence of interest expenses further strengthens the fundamentals. Overall, 71.43% of income statement metrics are favorable, indicating a generally positive financial position.

Financial Ratios

The table below presents key financial ratios for EPAM Systems, Inc. over the fiscal years 2020 to 2024, offering insights into profitability, liquidity, leverage, and valuation metrics:

Ratios20202021202220232024
Net Margin12%13%9%9%10%
ROE16%19%14%12%13%
ROIC14%17%14%10%11%
P/E6178454129
P/B1015654
Current Ratio4.13.03.74.83.0
Quick Ratio4.13.03.74.83.0
D/E0.130.100.060.050.04
Debt-to-Assets10%7%5%4%3%
Interest Coverage0314000
Asset Turnover0.981.071.201.081.00
Fixed Asset Turnover6.78.911.412.714.1
Dividend Yield0%0%0%0%0%

Evolution of Financial Ratios

Over the recent years, EPAM Systems’ Return on Equity (ROE) showed a downward trend from 19.37% in 2021 to 12.52% in 2024, indicating slowing profitability growth. The Current Ratio fluctuated, peaking at 4.79 in 2023 before settling at 2.96 in 2024, reflecting a decrease in short-term liquidity. Meanwhile, the Debt-to-Equity Ratio steadily declined from 0.10 in 2021 to 0.04 in 2024, signaling reduced leverage and financial risk.

Are the Financial Ratios Favorable?

In 2024, EPAM’s profitability ratios such as net margin (9.61%) and ROE (12.52%) are rated neutral, while return on invested capital (10.67%) and WACC (11.88%) are unfavorable, suggesting challenges in value creation. Liquidity metrics, including a current ratio of 2.96 and quick ratio of 2.96, are favorable, supporting strong short-term financial health. Leverage remains low with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, which is also favorable. Market valuation ratios like P/E at 29.47 and P/B at 3.69 are unfavorable, reflecting relatively high market expectations. Overall, the ratios present a slightly favorable financial profile.

Shareholder Return Policy

EPAM Systems, Inc. does not pay dividends, reflecting a reinvestment strategy likely aimed at supporting growth and innovation. The company’s dividend payout ratio and yield remain at zero, with no indication of share buyback programs reported.

This approach aligns with prioritizing long-term shareholder value creation through operational reinvestment rather than immediate cash returns. The absence of distributions supports a focus on sustainable growth, given EPAM’s positive margins and free cash flow metrics.

Score analysis

Here is a radar chart illustrating the company’s key financial scores and valuation metrics:

score analysis

EPAM Systems shows favorable scores in discounted cash flow, return on assets, and debt to equity, while return on equity and price to book are moderate. The price to earnings score is the lowest, indicating some valuation caution.

Analysis of the company’s bankruptcy risk

The Altman Z-Score indicates that EPAM Systems is well within the safe zone, suggesting a very low risk of bankruptcy:

altman z score analysis

Is the company in good financial health?

The Piotroski Score diagram below reflects the company’s financial strength based on nine key criteria:

piotroski f score analysis

With a score of 7, EPAM Systems is considered strong financially, demonstrating good profitability, leverage, liquidity, and operational efficiency.

Competitive Landscape & Sector Positioning

This section provides an overview of EPAM Systems, Inc.’s strategic positioning, revenue segments, key products, and main competitors within the technology sector. I will assess whether EPAM holds a competitive advantage compared to its industry peers.

Strategic Positioning

EPAM Systems, Inc. maintains a diversified product portfolio across multiple sectors including financial services, consumer goods, healthcare, and software, with revenues ranging from $575M to $1B per sector in 2024. Geographically, it has a broad exposure, generating $2.68B in the US and significant revenues in Europe and other regions.

Revenue by Segment

This pie chart illustrates EPAM Systems’ revenue distribution across various industry sectors for the fiscal year 2024.

revenue by segment

In 2024, the Financial Services Sector ($1.02B) and Consumer Goods, Retail & Travel ($1.01B) continue to be EPAM’s primary revenue drivers, closely followed by the Software and Hi-Tech Sector ($702M). While the Financial Services Sector showed slight growth, Consumer Goods experienced a modest decline compared to 2023. Emerging Vertical Sector revenue increased to $741M, indicating a strategic focus there. Overall, the company’s revenue mix remains diversified with no excessive concentration risk.

Key Products & Brands

The table below summarizes EPAM Systems, Inc.’s key products and service segments as of fiscal year 2024:

ProductDescription
Engineering ServicesIncludes requirements analysis, platform selection, customization, cross-platform migration, implementation, integration.
Infrastructure Management ServicesSoftware development, testing, maintenance for application, database, network, server, storage, and systems operations.
Maintenance and Support ServicesOngoing software maintenance, support, monitoring, incident notification, and resolution.
Operation SolutionsIntegrated engineering practices and smart automation.
Optimization SolutionsSoftware testing, test management, automation, consulting to improve quality assurance and security.
Consulting ServicesBusiness, experience, technology, data, and technical advisory consulting.
Digital and Service Design SolutionsStrategy, design, creative program management, and physical product development including AI, robotics, VR.
Revenue by Industry VerticalsFinancial Services (1.02B), Consumer Goods, Retail & Travel (1.01B), Software and Hi-Tech (702M), Emerging Verticals (741M), Healthcare (575M), Business Information and Media (675M)

EPAM Systems offers a broad range of software engineering and IT services with specialization in digital platform engineering and consulting. Its diversified revenue base spans key industry verticals including financial services, consumer sectors, healthcare, and technology.

Main Competitors

EPAM Systems, Inc. faces competition from a total of 16 companies, with the table below showing the top 10 leaders by market capitalization:

CompetitorMarket Cap.
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)272B
Accenture plc (ACN)162B
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH)40B
Fiserv, Inc. (FISV)36B
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS)34B
Wipro Limited (WIT)30B
Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS)23B
Gartner, Inc. (IT)18B
CDW Corporation (CDW)17B
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (JKHY)13B

EPAM Systems, Inc. ranks 11th among its 16 competitors, holding about 4.42% of the market cap of the sector leader, IBM. The company’s market capitalization is below both the average market cap of the top 10 competitors (approximately 64.6B) and the median market cap of the sector (about 17.8B). EPAM also maintains a 7.76% market cap gap from the closest competitor above it, indicating a moderate distance in scale within its peer group.

Comparisons with competitors

Check out how we compare the company to its competitors:

Does EPAM have a competitive advantage?

EPAM Systems, Inc. currently does not present a competitive advantage, as it is experiencing declining profitability and a return on invested capital (ROIC) below its weighted average cost of capital (WACC), indicating value destruction. Its ROIC trend over 2020-2024 is negative, reflecting decreasing efficiency in capital use and a very unfavorable moat status.

Looking ahead, EPAM offers a broad range of digital platform engineering and software development services with potential growth opportunities across financial services, healthcare, and other sectors. The company’s expansion into advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality could support future market diversification and product innovation.

SWOT Analysis

This SWOT analysis highlights EPAM Systems, Inc.’s key factors to inform investment decisions by assessing internal capabilities and external market conditions.

Strengths

  • Strong global client base with diversified industry exposure
  • Favorable gross and net margins indicating operational efficiency
  • Solid liquidity and low debt levels supporting financial stability

Weaknesses

  • Declining ROIC and value destruction trend
  • High valuation multiples (PE and PB) may deter value-focused investors
  • No dividend yield limiting income appeal

Opportunities

  • Expanding digital transformation demand across industries
  • Growing presence in North America and Europe markets
  • Potential to enhance AI and automation service offerings

Threats

  • Intense competition in IT services sector
  • Economic uncertainty affecting client budgets
  • Geopolitical risks impacting global operations

Overall, EPAM shows operational strength and growth potential, but value destruction and high valuation require cautious monitoring. Strategic focus should be on improving profitability and leveraging technological innovation to sustain competitive advantage.

Stock Price Action Analysis

The weekly stock chart below illustrates EPAM Systems, Inc.’s price movements and key price levels over the analyzed timeframe:

stock price

Trend Analysis

Over the past 12 months, EPAM’s stock price declined by 28.88%, indicating a bearish trend with accelerating downward momentum. The price fluctuated widely, reflected in a high standard deviation of 37.63. The stock hit a high of 309.4 and a low of 142.38, confirming significant volatility during this period.

Volume Analysis

Trading volume for EPAM has been increasing, with buyers accounting for 55.12% of total volume overall. In the recent 2.5-month period, buyer dominance surged to 85.2%, signaling strongly buyer-driven activity. This heightened participation suggests growing investor interest and confidence in the stock’s short-term prospects.

Target Prices

The consensus among analysts for EPAM Systems, Inc. suggests a moderately optimistic outlook.

Target HighTarget LowConsensus
247175214

Analysts expect EPAM’s stock price to range between 175 and 247, with a consensus target around 214, indicating potential upside from current levels.

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Analyst & Consumer Opinions

This section examines the latest analyst ratings and consumer feedback regarding EPAM Systems, Inc.’s market performance.

Stock Grades

Here is a summary of the latest stock grades for EPAM Systems, Inc. from well-known financial institutions, reflecting current analyst views:

Grading CompanyActionNew GradeDate
Wells FargoMaintainOverweight2026-01-14
TD CowenMaintainBuy2026-01-09
MizuhoMaintainOutperform2025-11-11
JP MorganMaintainOverweight2025-11-07
Morgan StanleyMaintainEqual Weight2025-09-09
JP MorganMaintainOverweight2025-08-20
BarclaysMaintainOverweight2025-05-12
Morgan StanleyMaintainEqual Weight2025-05-09
GuggenheimMaintainBuy2025-05-09
Piper SandlerMaintainNeutral2025-05-09

Most analysts maintain positive or neutral outlooks on EPAM, with a strong consensus leaning toward “Buy” and “Overweight” ratings, while a smaller group holds “Equal Weight” or “Neutral” stances, indicating cautious optimism.

Consumer Opinions

Consumers generally express a balanced view of EPAM Systems, Inc., appreciating its technical expertise while noting areas for improvement.

Positive ReviewsNegative Reviews
Strong technical skills and innovative solutions.Customer support can be slow and unresponsive.
Reliable project delivery and good communication.Some clients report occasional delays in timelines.
High-quality software development and customization.Pricing can be higher compared to competitors.

Overall, EPAM is praised for its technical proficiency and dependable project execution, but customers frequently mention concerns about support responsiveness and cost.

Risk Analysis

Below is a summary table highlighting key risks associated with EPAM Systems, Inc., including their likelihood and potential impact:

CategoryDescriptionProbabilityImpact
Market VolatilityEPAM’s beta of 1.73 indicates higher sensitivity to market swings, increasing share price riskHighHigh
Valuation RiskElevated P/E (29.47) and P/B (3.69) ratios suggest stock may be overvaluedModerateModerate
ProfitabilityUnfavorable ROIC (10.67%) and WACC (11.88%) imply returns may not sufficiently exceed costsModerateModerate
Competitive PressureIntense competition in IT services could impact growth and marginsModerateHigh
Dividend PolicyNo dividend payout may deter income-focused investorsLowLow
Financial HealthStrong Altman Z-Score (8.68) and Piotroski Score (7) indicate low bankruptcy riskLowLow

The most significant risks for EPAM lie in its market volatility and competitive pressures, which can impact stock price and earnings. Despite solid financial health markers, valuation and profitability concerns warrant cautious monitoring.

Should You Buy EPAM Systems, Inc.?

EPAM Systems, Inc. appears to be delivering moderate profitability amid a very unfavorable competitive moat marked by declining value creation. Despite a strong leverage profile and favorable financial ratings (A-), operational efficiency could be further scrutinized for sustained growth prospects.

Strength & Efficiency Pillars

EPAM Systems, Inc. exhibits solid financial health and operational efficiency, underpinned by an Altman Z-score of 8.68, placing it comfortably in the safe zone against bankruptcy risks. The Piotroski score of 7 further attests to the company’s strong financial condition. Profitability metrics show a net margin of 9.61% and a return on equity of 12.52%, both indicating steady earnings generation. Although the return on invested capital (ROIC) at 10.67% trails the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) at 11.88%, signaling value erosion rather than creation, the company maintains robust liquidity with a current ratio of 2.96 and minimal leverage (debt-to-equity of 0.04).

Weaknesses and Drawbacks

EPAM faces valuation and market pressure challenges that warrant caution. The price-to-earnings ratio stands elevated at 29.47, signaling a premium valuation that may limit upside potential. A price-to-book ratio of 3.69 also suggests the stock trades above its net asset value, adding to valuation concerns. Despite low leverage, the bearish overall stock trend with a 28.88% decline and recent acceleration in price volatility (standard deviation of 37.63) pose risks. However, recent buyer dominance at 85.2% could indicate short-term bullish sentiment, albeit following a prolonged downtrend.

Our Verdict about EPAM Systems, Inc.

The long-term fundamental profile of EPAM appears moderately favorable, supported by strong financial health and profitability. While the overall stock trend remains bearish, the recent period shows strong buyer dominance and price recovery, suggesting potential for stabilization. Despite these positive signals, the premium valuation and value destruction indicated by ROIC below WACC suggest that investors might consider a wait-and-see approach for a more attractive entry point. The profile may appear suitable for those seeking exposure with a cautious stance on timing.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. Investing in financial markets involves a significant risk of loss, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Additional Resources

For more information about EPAM Systems, Inc., please visit the official website: epam.com