AAPL vs. IBM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AAPL and IBM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AAPL | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apple Inc. | International Business Machines Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 4,029.02 billion USD | 278.03 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 12, 1980 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AAPL and IBM 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 | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.26% | -5.00% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.39% | 21.30% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 27.53% | 8.19% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 16.63% | 38.12% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.52% | -5.53% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 6.32% | 32.10% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 45.81M | 4.53M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 53.08M | 5.53M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.34% | 28.75% |
| Beta | 1.08 | 0.69 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AAPL
164.05%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 29.31%
- Median
- 7.95%
- Q1
- 5.02%
- Min
- -7.45%
AAPL’s Return on Equity of 164.05% 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.
IBM
28.86%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 37.08%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 14.70%
- Q1
- 6.70%
- Min
- -8.16%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, IBM’s Return on Equity of 28.86% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AAPL
26.92%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.92%
- Q3
- 8.33%
- Median
- 4.15%
- Q1
- 1.88%
- Min
- -3.36%
AAPL’s Net Profit Margin of 26.92% 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.
IBM
12.09%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 17.01%
- Q3
- 11.02%
- Median
- 6.91%
- Q1
- 3.07%
- Min
- -5.13%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.09% places IBM in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AAPL
31.97%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.85%
- Median
- 6.05%
- Q1
- 3.54%
- Min
- -4.90%
AAPL’s Operating Profit Margin of 31.97% 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.
IBM
14.51%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 15.32%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.58%
IBM’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.51% is around the midpoint for the IT Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 164.05% | 28.86% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 32.80% | 5.48% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.92% | 12.09% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.97% | 14.51% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.91% | 57.81% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
0.89
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.11
AAPL’s Current Ratio of 0.89 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.
IBM
0.93
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.49
IBM’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
1.34
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.34
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
AAPL’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.34. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
IBM
2.26
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.30
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.26. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
622.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 62.44
- Median
- 17.59
- Q1
- 5.32
- 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.
IBM
45.57
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -28.15
IBM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 45.57 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.89 | 0.93 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 0.81 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.34 | 2.26 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 622.51 | 45.57 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AAPL
0.38%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.93%
- Q3
- 3.31%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAPL’s Dividend Yield of 0.38% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
IBM
2.27%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 4.66%
- Q3
- 2.02%
- Median
- 0.66%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.27%, IBM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
13.77%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 136.56%
- Q3
- 76.58%
- Median
- 35.95%
- Q1
- 0.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAPL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 13.77% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
IBM
78.74%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 93.78%
- Q3
- 63.22%
- Median
- 24.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IBM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 78.74% is in the upper quartile for the IT Services 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 | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.38% | 2.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 13.77% | 78.74% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
35.77
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.58
- Q3
- 27.14
- Median
- 21.23
- Q1
- 15.28
- Min
- 8.31
A P/E Ratio of 35.77 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.
IBM
34.77
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 30.25
- Median
- 21.01
- Q1
- 16.50
- Min
- 0.00
A P/E Ratio of 34.77 places IBM in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
9.63
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 6.35
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 9.63, 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.
IBM
4.20
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s P/S Ratio of 4.20 is in the upper echelon for the IT Services industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
51.21
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 8.15
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
At 51.21, 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.
IBM
9.42
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
IBM’s P/B Ratio of 9.42 is in the upper tier for the IT Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.77 | 34.77 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.63 | 4.20 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 51.21 | 9.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 40.56 | 22.96 |