ACI Worldwide, Inc. (ACIW) vs Novanta Inc. (NOVT)

A side-by-side comparison of ACI Worldwide, Inc. and Novanta Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — ACIW vs NOVT

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ACIW +162.8% (+10.1%/yr)NOVT +763.6% (+24.1%/yr)NOVT compounded faster over this window
2004006008001kStart $10020182020202220242026$263$864
ACIW NOVT

ACIW vs NOVT: by the numbers

  • •NOVT is the larger company ($5.42B vs $5.19B market cap).
  • •ACIW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.42 vs 97.58 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •ACIW converts more revenue to profit (12.40% vs 6.00% net margin).
  • •NOVT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.65% vs 7.13% CAGR).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricACIWNOVT
P/E ratio23.4297.58
Forward P/E19.7141.21
PEG ratio0.8329.57
P/S ratio2.855.26
P/B ratio3.473.35
EV / EBITDA13.2229.49
FCF yield6.83%2.11%

Profitability

MetricACIWNOVT
Gross margin49.08%42.52%
Operating margin18.61%10.43%
Net margin12.40%6.00%
ROE15.08%3.82%
ROIC10.34%4.30%

Growth (annualized)

MetricACIWNOVT
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.13%10.65%
EPS CAGR (5Y)28.60%2.97%
FCF CAGR (5Y)5.52%-17.89%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.79%-0.32%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ACIW or NOVT?
ACIW has the lower trailing P/E: ACIW trades at 23.42 and NOVT at 97.58. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ACIW or NOVT?
Over the past five years, NOVT grew revenue faster — ACIW at a 7.13% CAGR versus NOVT at 10.65%.
Is ACIW or NOVT more profitable?
ACIW runs the higher net margin — ACIW at 12.40% versus NOVT at 6.00%.
How have ACIW and NOVT total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ACIW delivered 10.08% and NOVT delivered 24.09% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.