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Better Cloud Stock: Docusign vs. Confluent
The Motley Foolยท 2025-06-24 08:30
Core Insights - The e-signature and "data in motion" markets are both experiencing growth, with Docusign leading in e-signature services and Confluent specializing in real-time data processing [1][2] Company Overview - Docusign serves over 1.4 million customers across 180 countries and has facilitated more than a billion transactions, primarily generating revenue from subscriptions to its e-signature platform and related services [4] - Confluent has 6,140 customers and operates on the Apache Kafka platform, offering additional analytics tools to differentiate itself, with revenue coming from subscriptions and consumption-based fees [5] Growth Comparison - Docusign's revenue grew at a CAGR of 20% from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2025, with adjusted gross margins increasing from 79% to 82% [7] - Analysts project Docusign's revenue growth will slow to a CAGR of 8% from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028 due to market maturation and competitive pressures [8] - Confluent's revenue rose at a CAGR of 42% from 2020 to 2024, with adjusted gross margins expanding from 70% to 79% [10] - Analysts expect Confluent's revenue to grow at a CAGR of 19% from 2024 to 2027, driven by cloud platform growth and AI market expansion [11] Valuation Metrics - Docusign's stock trades at 61 times forward earnings and 5 times this year's sales, while Confluent trades at 7 times this year's sales [12] - Insider trading indicates a more favorable sentiment for Confluent, with insiders buying 17.2 million shares compared to Docusign's 1,300 shares bought [13] Investment Outlook - Docusign's stock has risen due to optimism around its AI-driven IAM platform, but it is valued as a growth stock amid a maturing core business [14] - Confluent is expected to grow at a faster rate and appears more reasonably valued relative to its growth potential [14][15]