Apple (AAPL) vs. Dell (DELL)
This page compares Apple (AAPL) with Dell (DELL) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Apple (AAPL) and Dell (DELL) are both classified in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals sub-industry within the broader Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Symbol | AAPL | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Apple Inc. | Dell Technologies Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Technology Hardware & Equipment | Technology Hardware & Equipment |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 4,275.93 billion USD | 256.37 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 12, 1980 | August 17, 2016 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Apple (AAPL) at 35.20 and Dell (DELL) at 31.54 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
35.20
- Max
- 171.43
- Q3
- 83.19
- Median
- 39.13
- Q1
- 23.68
- Min
- 9.35
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
31.54
- Max
- 171.43
- Q3
- 83.19
- Median
- 39.13
- Q1
- 23.68
- Min
- 9.35
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Dell (DELL) at 1.91 is priced about in line with its industry on Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Apple (AAPL) at 9.47 sits in the pricier quartile — AAPL costs more per dollar of sales.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
9.47
- Max
- 19.39
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.10
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.00
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.91
- Max
- 19.39
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.10
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.00
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Dell (DELL) reports a negative Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) of -182.88, meaning negative book equity — the multiple itself is not meaningful for valuation. Meanwhile Apple (AAPL) reports 40.10, ranking against industry peers normally.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
40.10
- Max
- 17.76
- Q3
- 9.32
- Median
- 4.56
- Q1
- 2.09
- Min
- -3.27
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
-182.88
- Max
- 17.76
- Q3
- 9.32
- Median
- 4.56
- Q1
- 2.09
- Min
- -3.27
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.20 | 31.54 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.47 | 1.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 40.10 | -182.88 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 2.36% | 2.12% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Apple (AAPL) reports Return on Equity (TTM) of 141.47% and can be ranked against industry peers; Dell (DELL) has no value available for this period, so a direct comparison isn’t possible.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
141.47%
- Max
- 44.16%
- Q3
- 19.25%
- Median
- 10.96%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- -25.92%
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
--
- Max
- 44.16%
- Q3
- 19.25%
- Median
- 10.96%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- -25.92%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Apple (AAPL) at 27.15% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Dell (DELL) at 6.28%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
27.15%
- Max
- 30.43%
- Q3
- 12.35%
- Median
- 4.45%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -14.09%
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
6.28%
- Max
- 30.43%
- Q3
- 12.35%
- Median
- 4.45%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -14.09%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Apple (AAPL) at 32.28% operates in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile, ahead of Dell (DELL) at 8.86%, which runs around its industry’s norm.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
32.28%
- Max
- 35.67%
- Q3
- 15.55%
- Median
- 6.62%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -18.45%
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
8.86%
- Max
- 35.67%
- Q3
- 15.55%
- Median
- 6.62%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -18.45%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 141.47% | -- |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 26.23% | 7.00% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.15% | 6.28% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.28% | 8.86% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 47.86% | 19.21% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 6.43% | 18.80% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 1.81% | 3.54% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 22.70% | 36.05% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 6.88% | 38.89% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Apple (AAPL) at 1.07 and Dell (DELL) at 0.95 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.07
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.40
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.95
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.40
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Apple (AAPL) reports Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) of 0.80 and can be ranked against industry peers; Dell (DELL) has no value available for this period, so a direct comparison isn’t possible.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.80
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.88
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
--
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.88
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.07 | 0.95 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.10 | 1.45 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Dell (DELL) at 0.64% reports Dividend Yield (TTM) in the top quartile of industry peers, ahead of Apple (AAPL) at 0.37%, which sits around the industry mid-range.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.37%
- Max
- 1.30%
- Q3
- 0.54%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.64%
- Max
- 1.30%
- Q3
- 0.54%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Apple (AAPL) at 12.59% maintains Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around its industry median — a balanced dividend policy. Dell (DELL) at 17.57% sits outside the typical mid-range, leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
AAPL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
12.59%
- Max
- 37.10%
- Q3
- 15.46%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DELL
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
17.57%
- Max
- 37.10%
- Q3
- 15.46%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.37% | 0.64% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 12.59% | 17.57% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | DELL |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 46.73% | 254.13% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 22.69% | 66.00% |
| Beta | 1.10 | 1.33 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 46.45M | 9.02M |