AAPL vs. BABA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AAPL and BABA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
AAPL is a standard domestic listing, while BABA trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apple Inc. | Alibaba Group Holding Limited |
| Country | United States | Hong Kong |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Broadline Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 3,371.15 billion USD | 296.47 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 12, 1980 | September 19, 2014 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AAPL and BABA by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.47% | 3.63% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 12.81% | 2.36% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.23% | -1.14% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 1.17% | 49.89% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 9.44% | 3.08% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.29% | 46.66% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 45.67M | 11.60M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 54.54M | 13.48M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.43% | 34.81% |
| Beta | 1.08 | 0.11 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AAPL
154.92%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
AAPL’s Return on Equity of 154.92% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
BABA
13.27%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.17%
- Q3
- 28.98%
- Median
- 19.22%
- Q1
- 10.86%
- Min
- -11.14%
BABA’s Return on Equity of 13.27% is on par with the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AAPL
24.30%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
AAPL’s Net Profit Margin of 24.30% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
BABA
12.99%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 19.78%
- Q3
- 11.90%
- Median
- 8.63%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- 0.82%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.99% places BABA in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AAPL
31.87%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
AAPL’s Operating Profit Margin of 31.87% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
BABA
14.14%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 27.23%
- Q3
- 15.96%
- Median
- 11.13%
- Q1
- 8.31%
- Min
- 1.77%
BABA’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.14% is around the midpoint for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 154.92% | 13.27% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 28.95% | 7.19% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.30% | 12.99% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.87% | 14.14% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.68% | 39.95% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
0.87
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
AAPL’s Current Ratio of 0.87 falls into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
BABA
1.55
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.54
- Q3
- 2.42
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.67
BABA’s Current Ratio of 1.55 aligns with the median group of the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
1.54
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.54, AAPL operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
BABA
0.23
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 1.34
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, BABA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.23 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
622.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- -23.93
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 622.51, AAPL demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
BABA
9.56
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 37.34
- Q3
- 20.63
- Median
- 11.28
- Q1
- 4.22
- Min
- -19.29
BABA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.56 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.87 | 1.55 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 1.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.54 | 0.23 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 622.51 | 9.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AAPL
0.46%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAPL’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
BABA
2.79%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.46%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.79%, BABA offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
15.47%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAPL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 15.47% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
BABA
103.01%
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 131.17%
- Q3
- 63.48%
- Median
- 29.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BABA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 103.01% is in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.46% | 2.79% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 15.47% | 103.01% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
33.94
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
A P/E Ratio of 33.94 places AAPL in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
BABA
16.04
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 66.12
- Q3
- 35.17
- Median
- 16.29
- Q1
- 10.47
- Min
- 5.94
BABA’s P/E Ratio of 16.04 is within the middle range for the Broadline Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
8.25
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 8.25, AAPL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
BABA
2.08
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.40
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- 0.16
BABA’s P/S Ratio of 2.08 aligns with the market consensus for the Broadline Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
46.55
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
At 46.55, AAPL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
BABA
2.23
Broadline Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 5.22
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 1.90
- Min
- 0.74
BABA’s P/B Ratio of 2.23 is within the conventional range for the Broadline Retail industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 33.94 | 16.04 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 8.25 | 2.08 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 46.55 | 2.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 35.03 | 26.78 |