IBM vs. TSM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IBM and TSM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
IBM is a standard domestic listing, while TSM trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | IBM | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Business Machines Corporation | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited |
| Country | United States | Taiwan |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 225.94 billion USD | 1,185.64 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | October 9, 1997 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IBM and TSM 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 | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.29% | -3.40% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -9.63% | 14.65% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.42% | 4.13% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 24.56% | 17.52% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.19% | -2.16% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 10.34% | 5.58% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.60M | 37.53M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.60M | 34.71M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.47% | 26.30% |
| Beta | 0.69 | 1.28 |
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.
TSM
33.51%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.74%
- Q3
- 23.49%
- Median
- 11.60%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -20.69%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, TSM’s Return on Equity of 33.51% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
TSM
42.92%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.17%
- Q3
- 22.38%
- Median
- 11.95%
- Q1
- 3.21%
- Min
- -25.16%
A Net Profit Margin of 42.92% places TSM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
TSM
48.71%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 27.84%
- Median
- 12.45%
- Q1
- 5.15%
- Min
- -28.61%
An Operating Profit Margin of 48.71% places TSM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.99% | 33.51% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.12% | 21.63% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.11% | 42.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.77% | 48.71% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 57.57% | 58.58% |
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.
TSM
2.37
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.42
- Q3
- 4.70
- Median
- 2.75
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 1.04
TSM’s Current Ratio of 2.37 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)
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.
TSM
0.21
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.45
- Median
- 0.22
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
TSM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
- 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.
TSM
8.32
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.10
- Median
- 27.22
- Q1
- 7.28
- Min
- -4.26
TSM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.32 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 | IBM | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 2.37 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | 2.15 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.33 | 0.21 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 45.57 | 8.32 |
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.
TSM
1.35%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.16%
- Q3
- 1.78%
- Median
- 0.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSM’s Dividend Yield of 1.35% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
TSM
28.42%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 196.12%
- Q3
- 87.72%
- Median
- 26.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.42% 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 | IBM | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.76% | 1.35% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 75.57% | 28.42% |
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.
TSM
21.05
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 109.37
- Q3
- 57.11
- Median
- 28.95
- Q1
- 22.13
- Min
- 11.14
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, TSM’s P/E Ratio of 21.05 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
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.
TSM
9.04
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.09
- Q3
- 10.10
- Median
- 4.82
- Q1
- 2.60
- Min
- 0.93
TSM’s P/S Ratio of 9.04 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)
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.
TSM
6.00
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 13.56
- Q3
- 6.75
- Median
- 3.68
- Q1
- 1.89
- Min
- 0.60
TSM’s P/B Ratio of 6.00 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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 | IBM | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 38.56 | 21.05 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.51 | 9.04 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.96 | 6.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 19.13 | 32.90 |