AAPL vs. CFLT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on July 7, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AAPL and CFLT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Overview

AAPL’s market capitalization of 3,189.54 billion USD is substantially larger than CFLT’s 8.95 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.

With betas of 1.21 for AAPL and 0.98 for CFLT, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.

Symbol	AAPL	CFLT
Company Name	Apple Inc.	Confluent, Inc.
Country	US	US
Sector	Technology	Technology
Industry	Consumer Electronics	Software - Infrastructure
CEO	Timothy D. Cook	Edward Kreps
Price	213.55 USD	26.3 USD
Market Cap	3,189.54 billion USD	8.95 billion USD
Beta	1.21	0.98
Exchange	NASDAQ	NASDAQ
IPO Date	December 12, 1980	June 24, 2021
ADR	No	No

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AAPL and CFLT 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.

AAPL vs. CFLT: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Profitability

Return on Equity

AAPL

151.31%

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 14.30%
Q3: 14.30%
Median: 5.13%
Q1: -15.88%
Min: -27.23%

AAPL’s Return on Equity of 151.31% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Consumer Electronics industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

CFLT

-33.70%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 80.61%
Q3: 29.97%
Median: 2.84%
Q1: -8.35%
Min: -56.26%

CFLT has a negative Return on Equity of -33.70%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their ROE against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Return on Invested Capital

AAPL

47.30%

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 4.18%
Q3: 4.18%
Median: 4.09%
Q1: -0.34%
Min: -0.34%

AAPL’s Return on Invested Capital of 47.30% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Consumer Electronics industry. This demonstrates an outstanding ability to deploy capital efficiently and create significant value.

CFLT

-18.54%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 39.31%
Q3: 11.97%
Median: 1.67%
Q1: -7.10%
Min: -34.29%

CFLT has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -18.54%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their ROIC against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin

AAPL

24.30%

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 24.30%
Q3: 8.81%
Median: 8.10%
Q1: -4.74%
Min: -7.22%

A Net Profit Margin of 24.30% places AAPL in the upper quartile for the Consumer Electronics industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

CFLT

-31.42%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 46.46%
Q3: 14.65%
Median: 2.66%
Q1: -7.70%
Min: -35.45%

CFLT has a negative Net Profit Margin of -31.42%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin

AAPL

31.81%

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 31.81%
Q3: 16.77%
Median: 10.95%
Q1: -0.21%
Min: -4.78%

An Operating Profit Margin of 31.81% places AAPL in the upper quartile for the Consumer Electronics industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

CFLT

-40.18%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 48.51%
Q3: 16.56%
Median: 4.48%
Q1: -6.43%
Min: -40.18%

CFLT has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -40.18%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their Operating Margin against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AAPL	CFLT
Return on Equity (TTM)	151.31%	-33.70%
Return on Assets (TTM)	29.37%	-11.85%
Return on Invested Capital (TTM)	47.30%	-18.54%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	24.30%	-31.42%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	31.81%	-40.18%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	46.63%	73.92%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio

AAPL

0.82

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 0.82
Q3: 0.82
Median: 0.70
Q1: 0.64
Min: 0.63

AAPL’s Current Ratio of 0.82 aligns with the median group of the Consumer Electronics industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

CFLT

4.42

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 3.80
Q3: 2.25
Median: 1.51
Q1: 1.10
Min: 0.23

CFLT’s Current Ratio of 4.42 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their Current Ratio against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio

AAPL

1.47

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 2.23
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.80
Q1: 0.51
Min: 0.16

AAPL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.47 is typical for the Consumer Electronics industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

CFLT

1.08

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 2.56
Q3: 1.12
Median: 0.33
Q1: 0.05
Min: 0.00

CFLT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.08 is typical for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their D/E Ratio against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio

AAPL

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 14.74
Q3: 8.73
Median: 3.32
Q1: -40.43
Min: -114.16

Interest Coverage Ratio data for AAPL is currently unavailable.

CFLT

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 32.21
Q3: 5.24
Median: 0.95
Q1: -17.99
Min: -50.82

Interest Coverage Ratio data for CFLT is currently unavailable.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their Interest Coverage against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AAPL	CFLT
Current Ratio (TTM)	0.82	4.42
Quick Ratio (TTM)	0.78	4.42
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM)	1.47	1.08
Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM)	0.30	0.41
Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM)	0.50	-2.14
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	--	--

Growth

The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AAPL and CFLT. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.

Revenue Growth

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Revenue Growth.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth.

Free Cash Flow Growth

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Free Cash Flow Growth.

Dividend

Dividend Yield

AAPL

0.47%

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 1.88%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.50%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AAPL’s Dividend Yield of 0.47% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Electronics industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

CFLT

0.00%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 4.07%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CFLT currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their Dividend Yield against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio

AAPL

15.74%

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 98.30%
Q3: 15.74%
Median: 10.10%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AAPL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 15.74% is within the typical range for the Consumer Electronics industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CFLT

0.00%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 48.68%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CFLT has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their Payout Ratio against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AAPL	CFLT
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.47%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	15.74%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio

AAPL

32.91

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 51.71
Q3: 41.35
Median: 30.99
Q1: 25.46
Min: 19.94

AAPL’s P/E Ratio of 32.91 is within the middle range for the Consumer Electronics industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

CFLT

-27.62

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 107.77
Q3: 54.40
Median: 28.10
Q1: 18.03
Min: 5.32

CFLT has a negative P/E Ratio of -27.62. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their P/E Ratio against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Forward P/E to Growth Ratio

AAPL

3.79

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 7.16
Q3: 5.62
Median: 3.99
Q1: 2.77
Min: 2.43

The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Consumer Electronics industry.

CFLT

-0.83

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 8.12
Q3: 3.94
Median: 2.13
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.01

CFLT has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -0.83. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their Forward PEG Ratio against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio

AAPL

7.97

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 7.50
Q3: 4.17
Median: 1.76
Q1: 0.88
Min: 0.16

With a P/S Ratio of 7.97, AAPL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Consumer Electronics industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

CFLT

8.80

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 18.25
Q3: 9.05
Median: 4.77
Q1: 2.30
Min: 0.11

CFLT’s P/S Ratio of 8.80 aligns with the market consensus for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their P/S Ratio against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio

AAPL

47.94

Consumer Electronics Industry

Max: 3.36
Q3: 3.36
Median: 2.83
Q1: 2.78
Min: 2.78

At 47.94, AAPL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Consumer Electronics 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.

CFLT

8.61

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 19.94
Q3: 10.91
Median: 6.33
Q1: 2.95
Min: 0.51

The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Infrastructure industry.

AAPL vs. CFLT: A comparison of their P/B Ratio against their respective Consumer Electronics and Software - Infrastructure industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AAPL	CFLT
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM)	32.91	-27.62
Forward PEG Ratio (TTM)	3.79	-0.83
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM)	7.97	8.80
Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM)	47.94	8.61
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM)	32.39	689.43
EV-to-EBITDA (TTM)	23.47	-25.25
EV-to-Sales (TTM)	8.14	9.61