C3.ai, Inc. (AI) vs Block, Inc. (SQ)
SQ leads on 8 of 9 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of C3.ai, Inc. and Block, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AI vs SQ
growth of $100 · last 4yAI -64.5%SQ -57.2%SQ compounded faster
AI SQ
AI vs SQ: by the numbers
- •SQ is the larger company ($51.73B vs $1.55B market cap).
- •Both run net losses; SQ's is the smaller (-2.04% vs -187.95% net margin).
- •SQ grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.19% vs 6.44% CAGR).
Which is better, AI or SQ?
Metric tally: AI 1 · SQ 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthSQ(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualitySQ(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AI | SQ |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 49.81 |
| Forward P/E | — | 15.90 |
| P/S ratio | 6.37 | 2.35● |
| P/B ratio | 2.44● | 2.82 |
| PEG ratio | — | 696.22 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 26.61 |
| FCF yield | — | 1.28% |
Profitability
| Metric | AI | SQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.92% | 44.85%● |
| Operating margin | -194.86% | 4.93%● |
| Net margin | -187.95% | -2.04%● |
| ROE | -71.95% | -2.30%● |
| ROIC | -68.71% | -12.82%● |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AI | SQ |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.44% | 13.19%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | — | 34.72% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | 64.00% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -29.02% | 4.50%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AI or SQ?
- It depends on your goal. growth: SQ (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: SQ (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SQ leads 8 to 1.
- Which has grown faster, AI or SQ?
- Over the past five years, SQ grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus SQ at 13.19%.
- Which has been the better investment, AI or SQ?
- Over the past 5-year, SQ delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -29.02% versus SQ at 4.50%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
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 June 13, 2026.