HPQ vs. WDC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HPQ and WDC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HPQ | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | HP Inc. | Western Digital Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 24.97 billion USD | 45.30 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | October 31, 1978 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of HPQ and WDC 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 | HPQ | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.98% | 9.45% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 11.32% | 87.62% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.16% | 181.70% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -23.10% | 128.88% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.59% | 49.44% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -16.55% | 166.46% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 9.29M | 9.76M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 9.06M | 7.34M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.50% | 39.32% |
| Beta | 1.32 | 1.82 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
HPQ
16.85%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 27.52%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -1.04%
HPQ’s Return on Equity of 16.85% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WDC
21.49%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 27.52%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -1.04%
WDC’s Return on Equity of 21.49% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
HPQ
4.83%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 16.15%
- Q3
- 7.95%
- Median
- 4.80%
- Q1
- 2.20%
- Min
- -0.29%
HPQ’s Net Profit Margin of 4.83% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
WDC
14.23%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 16.15%
- Q3
- 7.95%
- Median
- 4.80%
- Q1
- 2.20%
- Min
- -0.29%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.23% places WDC in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
HPQ
5.85%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.74%
- Median
- 6.27%
- Q1
- 4.07%
- Min
- 1.97%
HPQ’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.85% is around the midpoint for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WDC
22.10%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.74%
- Median
- 6.27%
- Q1
- 4.07%
- Min
- 1.97%
WDC’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.10% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | HPQ | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.85% | 21.49% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.71% | 9.38% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.83% | 14.23% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.85% | 22.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.89% | 38.00% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
HPQ
0.74
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.04
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.11
HPQ’s Current Ratio of 0.74 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.
WDC
1.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.04
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.11
WDC’s Current Ratio of 1.08 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
HPQ
0.32
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.54
- Q3
- 0.85
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
HPQ’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.32 is typical for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
WDC
0.85
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.54
- Q3
- 0.85
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
WDC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.85. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
HPQ
8.25
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 76.01
- Median
- 19.47
- Q1
- 5.91
- Min
- -23.93
HPQ’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.25 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
WDC
2.04
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 76.01
- Median
- 19.47
- Q1
- 5.91
- Min
- -23.93
In the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, WDC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.04 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | HPQ | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 1.08 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.44 | 0.84 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.32 | 0.85 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.25 | 2.04 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HPQ
4.36%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.33%
- Q3
- 3.29%
- Median
- 1.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HPQ’s Dividend Yield of 4.36% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
WDC
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.33%
- Q3
- 3.29%
- Median
- 1.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
HPQ
40.95%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 77.17%
- Median
- 40.90%
- Q1
- 3.87%
- Min
- 0.00%
HPQ’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.95% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WDC
15.60%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 77.17%
- Median
- 40.90%
- Q1
- 3.87%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 15.60% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | HPQ | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.36% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 40.95% | 15.60% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HPQ
9.38
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.10
- Q3
- 28.67
- Median
- 19.23
- Q1
- 15.53
- Min
- 9.46
HPQ’s P/E Ratio of 9.38 is below the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This may indicate that the stock is potentially undervalued, or it could reflect market concerns about the company’s future prospects.
WDC
22.07
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.10
- Q3
- 28.67
- Median
- 19.23
- Q1
- 15.53
- Min
- 9.46
WDC’s P/E Ratio of 22.07 is within the middle range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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)
HPQ
0.45
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.04
In the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, HPQ’s P/S Ratio of 0.45 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
WDC
3.14
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.04
WDC’s P/S Ratio of 3.14 aligns with the market consensus for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
HPQ
0.90
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 6.87
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
HPQ’s P/B Ratio of 0.90 is in the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.
WDC
3.99
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 6.87
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
WDC’s P/B Ratio of 3.99 is within the conventional range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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 | HPQ | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 9.38 | 22.07 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.45 | 3.14 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.90 | 3.99 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 8.29 | 29.52 |