AAPL vs. HSBC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AAPL and HSBC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
AAPL is a standard domestic listing, while HSBC trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | AAPL | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apple Inc. | HSBC Holdings plc |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 3,354.08 billion USD | 226.88 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 12, 1980 | July 16, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AAPL and HSBC 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 | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.91% | -1.12% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 8.25% | 6.24% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.43% | 7.85% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 0.05% | 44.56% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 8.88% | 2.37% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.75% | 20.30% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 61.85M | 13.79M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 56.06M | 18.07M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.04% | 16.86% |
| Beta | 1.08 | 0.07 |
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.
HSBC
13.86%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 26.37%
- Q3
- 15.92%
- Median
- 12.25%
- Q1
- 8.69%
- Min
- 0.15%
HSBC’s Return on Equity of 13.86% is on par with the norm for the Banks 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.
HSBC
34.16%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 54.20%
- Q3
- 35.70%
- Median
- 28.97%
- Q1
- 22.53%
- Min
- 6.98%
HSBC’s Net Profit Margin of 34.16% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Banks industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
HSBC
40.44%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 63.35%
- Q3
- 44.59%
- Median
- 37.24%
- Q1
- 28.25%
- Min
- 13.37%
HSBC’s Operating Profit Margin of 40.44% is around the midpoint for the Banks industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 154.92% | 13.86% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 28.95% | 0.85% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.30% | 34.16% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.87% | 40.44% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.68% | -- |
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.
HSBC
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
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.
HSBC
1.91
Banks Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.62
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.
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.
HSBC
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.87 | -- |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.54 | 1.91 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 622.51 | -- |
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.
HSBC
6.14%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 10.27%
- Q3
- 5.83%
- Median
- 3.81%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.14%, HSBC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Banks 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.
HSBC
71.79%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 147.07%
- Q3
- 80.55%
- Median
- 54.40%
- Q1
- 35.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSBC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 71.79% is within the typical range for the Banks industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.46% | 6.14% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 15.47% | 71.79% |
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.
HSBC
8.44
Banks Industry
- Max
- 20.05
- Q3
- 12.65
- Median
- 10.21
- Q1
- 7.54
- Min
- 2.74
HSBC’s P/E Ratio of 8.44 is within the middle range for the Banks 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.
HSBC
1.74
Banks Industry
- Max
- 5.06
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 2.24
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.45
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.
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.
HSBC
1.08
Banks Industry
- Max
- 2.18
- Q3
- 1.36
- Median
- 1.09
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.20
HSBC’s P/B Ratio of 1.08 is within the conventional range for the Banks 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 | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 33.94 | 8.44 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 8.25 | 1.74 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 46.55 | 1.08 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 35.03 | 4.65 |