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DAC vs GSL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Danaos Corporation (DAC) vs. Global Ship Lease, Inc. (GSL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Danaos Corporation (DAC) and Global Ship Lease, Inc. (GSL) both operate in the marine shipping sector as containership owners and lessors with long-term charter contracts providing revenue visibility.
- In recent market activity, DAC has shown stronger year-to-date gains near 38% alongside solid Q1 2026 earnings that highlighted dry-bulk improvements offsetting container softness.
- GSL trades at a lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio around 3.6x with a higher dividend yield near 6%, supported by consistent quarterly payouts and upcoming Q1 2026 results.
- Both companies maintain contracted revenue backlogs and fleet expansion plans, though DAC benefits from a larger market capitalization and recent vessel orders backed by multi-year charters.
- Relative performance reflects sector tailwinds from stable charter rates, with DAC exhibiting slightly higher recent momentum while GSL offers greater income focus through dividends.
- Market sentiment remains constructive for both amid broader shipping industry stability, with no single dominant catalyst differentiating the pair in the past several weeks.
Introduction
Traders and investors often compare DAC and GSL because both companies lease containerships to major global carriers under long-term contracts, offering exposure to maritime trade without direct operational risks. This analysis appeals to those seeking income-generating shipping plays, value-oriented portfolios, or sector diversification within industrials. The comparison highlights differences in scale, valuation, dividend profiles, and recent earnings trends to clarify relative positioning in the current environment.
DAC Overview and Recent Performance
Danaos Corporation (DAC) owns and charters a fleet focused primarily on containerships, with a growing dry-bulk presence. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near its 52-week high around $135, delivering year-to-date gains near 38% amid steady charter revenues. Q1 2026 results showed adjusted earnings per share of $6.72 and net income of $122.5 million, supported by improved dry-bulk earnings per day. Fleet expansion includes new vessels scheduled for 2027-2028 with secured charters, reinforcing revenue visibility. Sentiment has remained positive due to operational stability and cost controls despite softer container rates in parts of the market.
GSL Overview and Recent Performance
Global Ship Lease, Inc. (GSL) specializes in owning and leasing mid-sized containerships under multi-year contracts. In recent market activity, shares have hovered near $41 with a 52-week range of $23.95 to $42.70, reflecting solid annual gains and consistent dividend distributions. The company declared a $0.625 per share quarterly dividend for Q1 2026 payable in June, underscoring cash-flow reliability. Q4 2025 earnings beat expectations, and the upcoming Q1 2026 report scheduled for May 22 provides further insight into operations. Sentiment has stayed supportive, driven by a sizable contracted revenue backlog and disciplined capital returns in a stable charter environment.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
DAC operates at larger scale with a market capitalization near $2.4 billion compared to GSL’s approximately $1.5 billion, giving it broader fleet diversity that includes emerging dry-bulk exposure. Growth drivers for DAC center on recent vessel deliveries and charter-backed expansion, while GSL emphasizes steady income through a higher dividend yield and lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio near 3.6x versus DAC’s more moderate valuation. Recent momentum favors DAC following its Q1 earnings release, though both stocks benefit from similar sector exposure to containership leasing and long-term contract stability. Risk factors include charter rate fluctuations and fuel costs, with GSL potentially offering lower volatility through its focused mid-size fleet and capital-return policy. Overall, DAC provides scale and earnings momentum trade-offs, while GSL delivers higher current income and value characteristics.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent earnings consistency, trend stability near highs, and fleet expansion catalysts, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a modest probabilistic edge to DAC for its stronger year-to-date momentum and diversified revenue streams. GSL remains competitive due to its attractive yield and lower valuation multiples, potentially appealing in income-focused scenarios. The assessment reflects relative positioning rather than certainty, as both stocks operate in a comparable market environment.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is DAC is a Hold and GSL is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
DAC’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileGSL’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- DAC’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- GSL’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
DAC’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while GSL’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DAC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- GSL’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 7 bearish.
Price Growth
DAC (@Marine Shipping) experienced а -1.51% price change this week, while GSL (@Marine Shipping) price change was -0.39% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Marine Shipping industry was -3.26%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.03%, and the average quarterly price growth was +14.29%.
Reported Earning Dates
DAC is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
GSL is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Marine Shipping (-3.26% weekly)The marine shipping industry provides passenger transportation or cargo shipping services via waterways. This industry includes freight towage, ferry services and warehousing on deep-sea and inland waterways. The aviation sector may have reduced the popularity of sea travel for several passengers, but it is still in demand for short trips and pleasure cruises. Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. Cum Red Perp Pfd., Kirby Corporation and Seaspan Corporation are some of the well-known names in the business.
| DAC | GSL | DAC / GSL | |
| Capitalization | 2.29B | 1.37B | 168% |
| EBITDA | 729M | 548M | 133% |
| Gain YTD | 36.536 | 11.841 | 309% |
| P/E Ratio | 4.45 | 3.62 | 123% |
| Revenue | 1.04B | 757M | 138% |
| Total Cash | 1.02B | 499M | 204% |
| Total Debt | 1.03B | 653M | 157% |
DAC | GSL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 7 | 52 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 18 Undervalued | 6 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 29 | 16 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 61 | 43 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 43 | 49 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 31 | 24 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 85 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
GSL's Valuation (6) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as DAC (18) in the Marine Shipping industry. This means that GSL’s stock grew similarly to DAC’s over the last 12 months.
GSL's Profit vs Risk Rating (16) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as DAC (29) in the Marine Shipping industry. This means that GSL’s stock grew similarly to DAC’s over the last 12 months.
GSL's SMR Rating (43) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as DAC (61) in the Marine Shipping industry. This means that GSL’s stock grew similarly to DAC’s over the last 12 months.
DAC's Price Growth Rating (43) in the Marine Shipping industry is in the same range as GSL (49) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that DAC’s stock grew similarly to GSL’s over the last 12 months.
GSL's P/E Growth Rating (24) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as DAC (31) in the Marine Shipping industry. This means that GSL’s stock grew similarly to DAC’s over the last 12 months.
| DAC | GSL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 63% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 73% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 66% | 8 days ago 74% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 67% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 68% |
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DAC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DAC has been closely correlated with CMRE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 71% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if DAC jumps, then CMRE could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To DAC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAC | 100% | -2.24% | ||
| CMRE - DAC | 71% Closely correlated | -2.30% | ||
| GSL - DAC | 70% Closely correlated | -2.06% | ||
| NMM - DAC | 62% Loosely correlated | -2.18% | ||
| SBLK - DAC | 57% Loosely correlated | +0.45% | ||
| SB - DAC | 57% Loosely correlated | -1.98% | ||
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GSL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, GSL has been closely correlated with CMRE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 71% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if GSL jumps, then CMRE could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To GSL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSL | 100% | -2.06% | ||
| CMRE - GSL | 71% Closely correlated | -2.30% | ||
| DAC - GSL | 70% Closely correlated | -2.24% | ||
| GNK - GSL | 62% Loosely correlated | -0.77% | ||
| NMM - GSL | 61% Loosely correlated | -2.18% | ||
| SBLK - GSL | 61% Loosely correlated | +0.45% | ||
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