AAPL vs. QCOM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AAPL and QCOM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AAPL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apple Inc. | QUALCOMM Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 3,994.44 billion USD | 182.86 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 12, 1980 | December 13, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AAPL and QCOM 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 | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.11% | 1.40% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 17.63% | 10.22% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 27.93% | 14.96% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 21.01% | 8.45% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.75% | -3.83% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.78% | 13.25% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 47.55M | 11.13M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 52.98M | 9.15M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.37% | 36.87% |
| Beta | 1.09 | 1.22 |
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.
QCOM
21.51%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 49.05%
- Q3
- 22.19%
- Median
- 7.96%
- Q1
- 0.99%
- Min
- -15.65%
QCOM’s Return on Equity of 21.51% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
QCOM
12.51%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 24.47%
- Median
- 11.88%
- Q1
- 0.60%
- Min
- -25.46%
QCOM’s Net Profit Margin of 12.51% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
QCOM
27.65%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.76%
- Median
- 12.14%
- Q1
- 3.29%
- Min
- -32.60%
QCOM’s Operating Profit Margin of 27.65% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 164.05% | 21.51% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 32.80% | 10.26% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.92% | 12.51% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.97% | 27.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.91% | 55.43% |
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.
QCOM
2.82
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.57
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 1.02
QCOM’s Current Ratio of 2.82 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
QCOM
0.70
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.18
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.24
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
QCOM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.70. 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.
QCOM
38.40
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.21
- Median
- 22.37
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
QCOM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.40 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.89 | 2.82 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 2.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.34 | 0.70 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 622.51 | 38.40 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AAPL
0.39%
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 0.39% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
QCOM
2.07%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.58%
- Q3
- 1.59%
- Median
- 0.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.07%, QCOM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
QCOM
32.79%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 211.90%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 25.84%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
QCOM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.79% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.39% | 2.07% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 13.77% | 32.79% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
35.42
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 35.42 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.
QCOM
33.10
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 95.58
- Q3
- 58.67
- Median
- 34.77
- Q1
- 25.45
- Min
- 12.63
QCOM’s P/E Ratio of 33.10 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
9.53
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 9.53, 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.
QCOM
4.14
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 18.34
- Q3
- 10.38
- Median
- 5.38
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.32
QCOM’s P/S Ratio of 4.14 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
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.
QCOM
8.40
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.22
- Q3
- 8.33
- Median
- 4.39
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.30
QCOM’s P/B Ratio of 8.40 is in the upper tier for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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 | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.42 | 33.10 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.53 | 4.14 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 51.21 | 8.40 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 40.16 | 14.31 |