AAPL vs. META: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AAPL and META, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AAPL | META |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apple Inc. | Meta Platforms, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Interactive Media & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 3,371.15 billion USD | 1,892.39 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 12, 1980 | May 18, 2012 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AAPL and META 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 | META |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.47% | 0.24% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 12.81% | 18.34% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.23% | 7.04% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 1.17% | 41.62% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 9.44% | -2.60% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.29% | 28.66% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 45.67M | 11.19M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 54.54M | 13.16M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.43% | 32.96% |
| Beta | 1.08 | 1.22 |
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.
META
39.33%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 29.69%
- Median
- 9.73%
- Q1
- 2.47%
- Min
- -26.19%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, META’s Return on Equity of 39.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
META
39.99%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.41%
- Q3
- 29.38%
- Median
- 17.14%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -30.88%
A Net Profit Margin of 39.99% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
META
44.02%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.95%
- Median
- 18.60%
- Q1
- 5.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 44.02% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | META |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 154.92% | 39.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 28.95% | 25.83% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.30% | 39.99% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.87% | 44.02% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.68% | 81.95% |
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.
META
1.97
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.30
- Q3
- 2.68
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.45
META’s Current Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services 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.
META
0.15
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.90
- Q3
- 0.47
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
META’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 is typical for the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 67.60
- Q3
- 29.41
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -37.02
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 168.41, META demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | META |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.87 | 1.97 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 1.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.54 | 0.15 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 622.51 | 168.41 |
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.
META
0.27%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.87%
- Q3
- 1.08%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.27% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
META
7.26%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.35%
- Q3
- 38.67%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.26% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | META |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.46% | 0.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 15.47% | 7.26% |
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.
META
26.40
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.79
- Q3
- 54.33
- Median
- 25.46
- Q1
- 18.76
- Min
- 6.96
META’s P/E Ratio of 26.40 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
META
10.56
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.01
- Q3
- 12.39
- Median
- 6.49
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.22
META’s P/S Ratio of 10.56 aligns with the market consensus for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
META
9.51
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.66
- Q3
- 7.17
- Median
- 4.17
- Q1
- 2.80
- Min
- 0.12
META’s P/B Ratio of 9.51 is in the upper tier for the Interactive Media & 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 | META |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 33.94 | 26.40 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 8.25 | 10.56 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 46.55 | 9.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 35.03 | 37.65 |