META vs. WMT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at META and WMT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | META | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Walmart Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 1,803.32 billion USD | 820.41 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 18, 2012 | August 25, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of META and WMT 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 | META | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.27% | 1.18% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -2.04% | 6.29% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 35.03% | 17.92% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 22.75% | 30.09% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.25% | -0.16% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 22.60% | 13.89% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 13.83M | 14.06M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 11.99M | 16.05M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.04% | 18.21% |
| Beta | 1.29 | 0.66 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
META
39.33%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 33.08%
- Median
- 10.37%
- Q1
- 5.76%
- Min
- -24.17%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, META’s Return on Equity of 39.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
WMT
24.18%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 36.53%
- Q3
- 21.48%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, WMT’s Return on Equity of 24.18% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
META
39.99%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.74%
- Q3
- 29.54%
- Median
- 20.53%
- Q1
- 7.52%
- Min
- -14.52%
A Net Profit Margin of 39.99% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
WMT
3.08%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.25%
- Q3
- 3.98%
- Median
- 2.77%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- -0.70%
WMT’s Net Profit Margin of 3.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
META
44.02%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.82%
- Median
- 18.53%
- Q1
- 7.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 44.02% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
WMT
4.18%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.61%
- Median
- 4.18%
- Q1
- 2.72%
- Min
- 0.23%
WMT’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.18% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | META | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 39.33% | 24.18% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 25.83% | 8.07% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.99% | 3.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.02% | 4.18% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.95% | 24.90% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
META
1.97
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.25
META’s Current Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WMT
0.79
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.28
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.49
WMT’s Current Ratio of 0.79 falls into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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)
META
0.15
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.85
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
META’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 is typical for the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
WMT
0.56
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.61
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
WMT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.56 is typical for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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)
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.65
- Q3
- 16.48
- Median
- 6.73
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -3.62
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 168.41, META demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
WMT
12.72
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.79
- Q1
- 3.04
- Min
- -5.51
WMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | META | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.97 | 0.79 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.71 | 0.19 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.15 | 0.56 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 168.41 | 12.72 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
META
0.29%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.07%
- Q3
- 1.27%
- Median
- 0.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.29% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WMT
0.87%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.08%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 1.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Yield of 0.87% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
META
7.26%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 101.53%
- Q3
- 40.64%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.26% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WMT
33.30%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 172.48%
- Q3
- 103.93%
- Median
- 54.70%
- Q1
- 24.82%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.30% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | META | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.29% | 0.87% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 7.26% | 33.30% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
META
25.05
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.72
- Q3
- 41.60
- Median
- 25.84
- Q1
- 18.18
- Min
- 1.76
META’s P/E Ratio of 25.05 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & 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.
WMT
38.38
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.99
- Q3
- 30.23
- Median
- 22.19
- Q1
- 16.85
- Min
- 4.52
A P/E Ratio of 38.38 places WMT in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
META
10.02
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.76
- Q3
- 11.40
- Median
- 7.69
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.00
META’s P/S Ratio of 10.02 aligns with the market consensus for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
WMT
1.18
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.06
WMT’s P/S Ratio of 1.18 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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)
META
9.51
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.71
- Q3
- 9.00
- Median
- 3.97
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 0.33
META’s P/B Ratio of 9.51 is in the upper tier for the Interactive Media & 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.
WMT
8.68
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.97
- Median
- 2.98
- Q1
- 1.86
- Min
- 0.46
WMT’s P/B Ratio of 8.68 is in the upper tier for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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 | META | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.05 | 38.38 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 10.02 | 1.18 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.51 | 8.68 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 35.73 | 59.57 |