IBM vs. TSLA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IBM and TSLA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | IBM | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Business Machines Corporation | Tesla, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Automobiles |
| Market Capitalization | 223.03 billion USD | 1,117.94 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | June 29, 2010 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IBM and TSLA 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 | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.77% | 5.25% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -7.33% | 1.63% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -9.42% | -3.87% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 22.18% | 64.53% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.42% | 12.43% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.92% | -14.17% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.31M | 74.47M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.58M | 103.51M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.35% | 56.71% |
| Beta | 0.69 | 2.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
IBM
21.99%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 16.98%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 7.93%
- Min
- -3.97%
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.
TSLA
8.22%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 25.70%
- Q3
- 12.88%
- Median
- 6.92%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- -15.89%
TSLA’s Return on Equity of 8.22% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
IBM
9.11%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.82%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 3.61%
- Min
- -4.62%
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.
TSLA
6.54%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 9.92%
- Q3
- 5.78%
- Median
- 3.23%
- Q1
- 0.11%
- Min
- -5.31%
A Net Profit Margin of 6.54% places TSLA in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
IBM
9.77%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 21.69%
- Q3
- 14.50%
- Median
- 10.06%
- Q1
- 6.98%
- Min
- 0.06%
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.
TSLA
6.06%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 13.07%
- Q3
- 7.22%
- Median
- 5.29%
- Q1
- 0.43%
- Min
- -4.46%
TSLA’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.06% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.99% | 8.22% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.12% | 4.89% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.11% | 6.54% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.77% | 6.06% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 57.57% | 17.48% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
0.91
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.42
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.44
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.
TSLA
2.04
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.19
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.48
TSLA’s Current Ratio of 2.04 is in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
2.33
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- 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.
TSLA
0.09
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.34
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.06
Falling into the lower quartile for the Automobiles industry, TSLA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.09 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
IBM
45.57
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 144.50
- Q3
- 84.49
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 2.59
- Min
- -28.13
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.
TSLA
71.48
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 77.87
- Q3
- 42.86
- Median
- 13.88
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- -49.07
TSLA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 71.48 is in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 2.04 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | 1.35 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.33 | 0.09 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 45.57 | 71.48 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IBM
2.76%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.74%
- Median
- 0.62%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.76%, IBM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
TSLA
0.00%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 10.71%
- Q3
- 5.39%
- Median
- 3.14%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSLA 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)
IBM
75.57%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 147.75%
- Q3
- 63.58%
- Median
- 24.63%
- 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.
TSLA
0.00%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 114.43%
- Q3
- 59.30%
- Median
- 37.15%
- Q1
- 16.40%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSLA 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 | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.76% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 75.57% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
IBM
38.56
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
A P/E Ratio of 38.56 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.
TSLA
172.34
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 27.69
- Q3
- 19.99
- Median
- 9.85
- Q1
- 6.60
- Min
- 4.25
At 172.34, TSLA’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Automobiles industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
IBM
3.51
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
IBM’s P/S Ratio of 3.51 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.
TSLA
11.27
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 1.52
- Q3
- 0.84
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.23
- Min
- 0.08
With a P/S Ratio of 11.27, TSLA trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Automobiles 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
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
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.
TSLA
13.23
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 4.25
- Q3
- 2.00
- Median
- 0.87
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.19
At 13.23, TSLA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Automobiles 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 38.56 | 172.34 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.51 | 11.27 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.96 | 13.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 19.13 | 187.03 |