IBM vs. MSTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IBM and MSTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | IBM | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Business Machines Corporation | Strategy Inc |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 268.90 billion USD | 89.39 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | June 11, 1998 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IBM and MSTR 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 | IBM | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.47% | 12.54% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -4.28% | -9.35% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 12.71% | 4.26% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 27.77% | 100.72% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 15.88% | 5.03% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 28.35% | 16.85% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.49M | 13.43M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.69M | 11.52M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.73% | 55.03% |
| Beta | 0.69 | 3.43 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
IBM
21.99%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 32.78%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 13.86%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -10.00%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, IBM’s Return on Equity of 21.99% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
MSTR
18.10%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
MSTR’s Return on Equity of 18.10% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
IBM
9.11%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.71%
- Q3
- 11.01%
- Median
- 6.66%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -6.22%
IBM’s Net Profit Margin of 9.11% 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.
MSTR
1,036.61%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
MSTR’s Net Profit Margin of 1,036.61% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
IBM
9.77%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 22.44%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.82%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.89%
IBM’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.77% is around the midpoint for the IT Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
MSTR
1,435.93%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
MSTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 1,435.93% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software 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 | IBM | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.99% | 18.10% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.12% | 13.42% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.11% | 1,036.61% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.77% | 1,435.93% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 57.57% | 70.10% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
0.91
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.17
- Q3
- 2.00
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.52
IBM’s Current Ratio of 0.91 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.
MSTR
0.68
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
MSTR’s Current Ratio of 0.68 falls into the lower quartile for the Software 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)
IBM
2.33
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.11
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.17
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.33. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
MSTR
0.16
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 is typical for the Software 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)
IBM
45.57
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 0.77
- 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.
MSTR
-30.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
MSTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -30.23. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 0.68 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.33 | 0.16 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 45.57 | -30.23 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IBM
2.35%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.79%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.58%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.35%, IBM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
MSTR
0.06%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSTR’s Dividend Yield of 0.06% is consistent with its peers in the Software industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
IBM
75.57%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 107.85%
- Q3
- 52.62%
- Median
- 22.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IBM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 75.57% 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.
MSTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSTR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.35% | 0.06% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 75.57% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
IBM
45.14
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 56.41
- Q3
- 33.17
- Median
- 23.17
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 6.62
A P/E Ratio of 45.14 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.
MSTR
19.94
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, MSTR’s P/E Ratio of 19.94 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
IBM
4.11
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.99
- Q3
- 4.26
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.12
IBM’s P/S Ratio of 4.11 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.
MSTR
206.65
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
With a P/S Ratio of 206.65, MSTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
9.96
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 12.34
- Q3
- 7.54
- Median
- 3.84
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- 0.88
IBM’s P/B Ratio of 9.96 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.
MSTR
2.25
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
MSTR’s P/B Ratio of 2.25 is in the lower quartile for the Software 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 45.14 | 19.94 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.11 | 206.65 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.96 | 2.25 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.40 | 1,629.05 |