Apple (AAPL) Stock Analysis

September 14, 2026

This is a peer-relative look at Apple (AAPL): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Technology Hardware & Equipment peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.

Company Profile

Company profile fields for Apple (AAPL)
Profile Item	AAPL
Name	Apple Inc.
Country/Region	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology
GICS Industry Group	Technology Hardware & Equipment
GICS Industry	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
GICS Sub-Industry	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Market Capitalization	4,849.21 billion USD
Currency	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq
Listing Date	December 12, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AAPL

GSPC

Apple (AAPL) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Apple (AAPL) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Apple (AAPL) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Apple (AAPL) metric values compared with Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: AAPL	Industry group median
Total Return (1Y)	44.98%	33.11%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	23.37%	24.45%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	17.99%	12.23%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AAPL

GSPC

Apple (AAPL) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Apple (AAPL) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Apple (AAPL) metric values compared with Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: AAPL	Industry group median
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	25.08%	54.79%
Beta (5Y)	1.07	1.32
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-33.36%	-55.32%

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

Each dot is a stock plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. AAPL is highlighted; the dashed line is the Capital Allocation Line from the risk-free rate through the industry median — dots above it are stronger on a risk-adjusted basis.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Apple (AAPL) metric values compared with Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: AAPL	Industry group median
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	1.63	0.57
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	2.43	0.91

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Apple (AAPL) posts ROE of 148.75%, above the industry benchmark range. Equity is being turned into profit at an exceptional rate, but very high ROE should still be checked against leverage, buybacks, and the size of the equity base.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

148.75%

Group distribution

AAPL: 148.75%
Max: 44.01%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: 10.41%
Q1: 1.17%
Min: -24.95%

Largest peers

STX: 371.53%
AAPL: 148.75%
SNDK: 91.64%
APH: 38.12%
ANET: 31.48%
CSCO: 27.32%
DELL: --

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on ROE within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Net Margin (TTM)

Apple (AAPL) keeps 27.62% of revenue as net profit on net margin, above the industry benchmark range. That is unusually strong bottom-line conversion, though tax effects, asset sales, or other one-off gains should be checked before treating it as durable.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

27.62%

Group distribution

AAPL: 27.62%
Max: 26.11%
Q3: 10.87%
Median: 3.75%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -14.17%

Largest peers

SNDK: 56.47%
ANET: 38.37%
AAPL: 27.62%
STX: 26.11%
CSCO: 20.95%
APH: 17.73%
DELL: 7.53%

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on net margin within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Apple (AAPL) turns 32.62% of revenue into operating profit, putting operating margin in the upper peer quartile. Before financing and taxes enter the picture, the day-to-day business keeps more of each sales dollar than most industry peers.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

32.62%

Group distribution

Max: 36.27%
AAPL: 32.62%
Q3: 17.72%
Median: 7.45%
Q1: 1.68%
Min: -21.39%

Largest peers

SNDK: 78.47%
ANET: 45.39%
STX: 43.07%
AAPL: 32.62%
APH: 29.78%
CSCO: 27.72%
DELL: 12.02%

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on operating margin within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Profitability Metrics

Apple (AAPL) metric values compared with Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: AAPL	Industry group median
ROE (TTM)	148.75%	10.41%
ROA (TTM)	27.08%	4.42%
Net Margin (TTM)	27.62%	3.75%
Operating Margin (TTM)	32.62%	7.45%
Gross Margin (TTM)	48.65%	39.34%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Apple (AAPL) grew revenue 6.43%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

Apple (AAPL): Revenue Growth across different time periods, set against Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians.

EPS Growth

Apple (AAPL) grew earnings per share 22.70%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Bottom-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

Apple (AAPL): EPS Growth across different time periods, set against Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians.

Growth Metrics

Apple (AAPL) metric values compared with Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: AAPL	Industry group median
Revenue Growth (YoY)	6.43%	9.53%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	1.81%	2.59%
EPS Growth (YoY)	22.70%	14.07%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	6.88%	3.18%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Apple (AAPL) has current ratio of 1.00, in the tighter-liquidity quartile for its industry. The short-term cushion is thinner than most peers carry, even if the absolute comfort level still depends on the business model.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

1.00

Group distribution

Max: 5.34
Q3: 2.96
Median: 1.89
Q1: 1.31
AAPL: 1.00
Min: 0.17

Largest peers

ANET: 2.96
SNDK: 2.29
APH: 1.89
STX: 1.67
AAPL: 1.00
DELL: 0.96
CSCO: 0.93

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on current ratio within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Apple (AAPL) has debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal leverage range. Its mix of debt and equity looks typical for the industry.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.78

Group distribution

Max: 1.80
Q3: 0.87
AAPL: 0.78
Median: 0.28
Q1: 0.04
Min: 0.00

Largest peers

STX: 1.80
APH: 1.20
AAPL: 0.78
CSCO: 0.62
SNDK: 0.01
DELL: --
ANET: --

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on debt-to-equity ratio within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Financial Strength Metrics

Apple (AAPL) metric values compared with Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: AAPL	Industry group median
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.00	1.89
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.78	0.28
Net Debt / EBITDA	0.13	0.18

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Apple (AAPL) has dividend yield of 0.32%, in the industry’s normal income range. It provides a meaningful dividend without the red flag of an unusually high headline yield.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.32%

Group distribution

Max: 0.74%
Q3: 0.33%
AAPL: 0.32%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Largest peers

CSCO: 1.55%
APH: 0.57%
DELL: 0.46%
STX: 0.34%
AAPL: 0.32%
ANET: 0.00%
SNDK: 0.00%

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on dividend yield within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Apple (AAPL) has payout ratio of 12.04%, within the industry’s typical payout band. The dividend shares profits with investors while leaving earnings coverage that looks normal for the peer group.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

12.04%

Group distribution

Max: 32.21%
Q3: 13.44%
AAPL: 12.04%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Largest peers

CSCO: 49.85%
APH: 22.88%
STX: 21.15%
DELL: 13.44%
AAPL: 12.04%
ANET: 0.00%
SNDK: 0.00%

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on payout ratio within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Metrics

Apple (AAPL) metric values compared with Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: AAPL	Industry group median
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.32%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	12.04%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Apple (AAPL) trades at P/E ratio of 38.15, near the industry’s usual earnings multiple. The stock is not showing a clear peer discount or premium on trailing earnings.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

38.15

Group distribution

Max: 92.76
Q3: 54.79
AAPL: 38.15
Median: 33.67
Q1: 22.48
Min: 12.30

Largest peers

ANET: 63.36
STX: 59.90
APH: 41.96
AAPL: 38.15
CSCO: 33.67
DELL: 33.00
SNDK: 22.12

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on P/E ratio within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Apple (AAPL) trades at 10.39 on P/S ratio, in the higher sales-valuation quartile. Investors are paying up for each dollar of revenue, so stronger margins, growth, or revenue quality need to carry that price.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

10.39

Group distribution

Max: 15.48
AAPL: 10.39
Q3: 7.22
Median: 3.14
Q1: 1.32
Min: 0.00

Largest peers

ANET: 23.88
STX: 15.48
SNDK: 11.81
AAPL: 10.39
APH: 7.13
CSCO: 6.98
DELL: 2.39

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on P/S ratio within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Apple (AAPL) trades at 45.15 on P/B ratio, above the industry benchmark range. Investors are putting an unusually rich price on each dollar of book equity relative to peers.

AAPL

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

45.15

Group distribution

AAPL: 45.15
Max: 13.35
Q3: 7.14
Median: 3.63
Q1: 2.13
Min: 0.10

Largest peers

STX: 86.88
AAPL: 45.15
ANET: 17.01
SNDK: 15.47
APH: 13.35
CSCO: 8.80
DELL: -256.46

Where Apple (AAPL) stands on P/B ratio within its Technology Hardware & Equipment peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Valuation Metrics

Apple (AAPL) metric values compared with Technology Hardware & Equipment industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: AAPL	Industry group median
P/E Ratio (TTM)	38.15	33.67
P/S Ratio (TTM)	10.39	3.14
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	45.15	3.63
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	2.22%	2.33%