MSFT vs. WMT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MSFT and WMT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MSFT | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Microsoft Corporation | Walmart Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Software | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 3,759.10 billion USD | 772.74 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 13, 1986 | August 25, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MSFT 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 | MSFT | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.21% | -3.84% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 10.21% | 0.41% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 23.18% | -6.70% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 19.97% | 28.69% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.21% | -1.17% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 19.98% | 7.17% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 20.86M | 20.65M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 20.58M | 16.98M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.87% | 18.98% |
| Beta | 1.04 | 0.67 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MSFT
32.44%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
In the upper quartile for the Software industry, MSFT’s Return on Equity of 32.44% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
WMT
21.67%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 34.20%
- Q3
- 21.61%
- Median
- 13.70%
- Q1
- 5.18%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, WMT’s Return on Equity of 21.67% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MSFT
36.15%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 36.15% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
WMT
2.75%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.16%
- Q3
- 3.87%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -0.70%
WMT’s Net Profit Margin of 2.75% 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)
MSFT
45.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 45.29% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
WMT
4.33%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.03%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -1.85%
WMT’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.33% 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 | MSFT | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.44% | 21.67% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 18.20% | 7.23% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.15% | 2.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.29% | 4.33% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.82% | 24.88% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MSFT
1.35
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
MSFT’s Current Ratio of 1.35 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WMT
0.78
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.52
WMT’s Current Ratio of 0.78 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)
MSFT
0.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSFT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.26 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.
WMT
0.63
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
WMT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 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)
MSFT
891.80
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 891.80, MSFT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
WMT
12.72
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 6.25
- Q1
- 3.16
- Min
- -10.70
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 | MSFT | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 0.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 0.18 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.26 | 0.63 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 891.80 | 12.72 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MSFT
0.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT’s Dividend Yield of 0.64% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software 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.
WMT
0.87%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.63%
- Q3
- 3.17%
- Median
- 1.35%
- 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)
MSFT
23.65%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 23.65%, MSFT’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
WMT
36.65%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 163.46%
- Q3
- 90.34%
- Median
- 52.13%
- Q1
- 20.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.65% 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 | MSFT | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.64% | 0.87% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.65% | 36.65% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
37.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
MSFT’s P/E Ratio of 37.23 is within the middle range for the Software 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
42.33
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.92
- Q3
- 31.34
- Median
- 23.38
- Q1
- 17.55
- Min
- 6.19
A P/E Ratio of 42.33 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)
MSFT
13.46
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
MSFT’s P/S Ratio of 13.46 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
WMT
1.16
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.06
WMT’s P/S Ratio of 1.16 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)
MSFT
10.76
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
MSFT’s P/B Ratio of 10.76 is within the conventional range for the Software 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.
WMT
9.29
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.74
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.88
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 0.46
WMT’s P/B Ratio of 9.29 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 | MSFT | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 37.23 | 42.33 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 13.46 | 1.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 10.76 | 9.29 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 52.94 | 58.95 |