CTSH vs. IBM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CTSH and IBM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CTSH | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation | International Business Machines Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | IT Services |
| Market Capitalization | 37.11 billion USD | 278.03 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 19, 1998 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CTSH 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 | CTSH | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.37% | -5.00% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.79% | 21.30% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -11.30% | 8.19% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -5.20% | 38.12% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.73% | -5.53% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -5.92% | 32.10% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.17M | 4.53M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.37M | 5.53M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.59% | 28.75% |
| Beta | 0.96 | 0.69 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CTSH
14.31%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 37.08%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 14.70%
- Q1
- 6.70%
- Min
- -8.16%
CTSH’s Return on Equity of 14.31% is on par with the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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)
CTSH
10.20%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 17.01%
- Q3
- 11.02%
- Median
- 6.91%
- Q1
- 3.07%
- Min
- -5.13%
CTSH’s Net Profit Margin of 10.20% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the IT Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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)
CTSH
15.76%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 15.32%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.58%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.76% places CTSH in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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 | CTSH | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.31% | 28.86% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.61% | 5.48% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.20% | 12.09% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.76% | 14.51% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.06% | 57.81% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CTSH
2.36
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.49
CTSH’s Current Ratio of 2.36 is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
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)
CTSH
0.04
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.30
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the IT Services industry, CTSH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
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)
CTSH
100.81
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -28.15
CTSH’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 100.81 is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
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 | CTSH | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.36 | 0.93 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.36 | 0.81 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.04 | 2.26 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 100.81 | 45.57 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CTSH
1.65%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 4.66%
- Q3
- 2.02%
- Median
- 0.66%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTSH’s Dividend Yield of 1.65% is consistent with its peers in the IT Services 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)
CTSH
28.62%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 93.78%
- Q3
- 63.22%
- Median
- 24.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTSH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.62% is within the typical range for the IT Services 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 | CTSH | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.65% | 2.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.62% | 78.74% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CTSH
17.34
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 30.25
- Median
- 21.01
- Q1
- 16.50
- Min
- 0.00
CTSH’s P/E Ratio of 17.34 is within the middle range for the IT 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.
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)
CTSH
1.77
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.00
CTSH’s P/S Ratio of 1.77 aligns with the market consensus for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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)
CTSH
2.20
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
CTSH’s P/B Ratio of 2.20 is in the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
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 | CTSH | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.34 | 34.77 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.77 | 4.20 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.20 | 9.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 13.92 | 22.96 |