STX vs. WDC: Seagate Technology vs. Western Digital Stock Comparison

August 25, 2026

How do Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC) are both classified in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals sub-industry within the broader Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Company profile comparison for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Profile Item	STX	WDC
Name	Seagate Technology Holdings plc	Western Digital Corporation
Country/Region	Singapore	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry Group	Technology Hardware & Equipment	Technology Hardware & Equipment
GICS Industry	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
GICS Sub-Industry	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Market Capitalization	192.65 billion USD	175.37 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	Nasdaq
Listing Date	December 11, 2002	October 31, 1978
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

STX

WDC

GSPC

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	STX	WDC
Total Return (1Y)	454.35%	569.17%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	140.51%	151.32%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	61.63%	60.67%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

STX

WDC

GSPC

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	STX	WDC
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	74.06%	78.93%
Beta (5Y)	2.07	2.13
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-56.99%	-55.32%
Avg. Volume (3M)	4.76M	8.47M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

STX and WDC are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	STX	WDC
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	6.08	7.16
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	10.04	11.72

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Seagate Technology (STX) at 371.53% and Western Digital (WDC) at 130.85% turn shareholders’ equity into profit at rates above their industry benchmark ranges for ROE. That is a strong capital-efficiency signal, though leverage and the equity base still matter.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

371.53%

STX: 371.53%
Max: 44.01%
Q3: 18.43%
Median: 10.41%
Q1: 0.66%
Min: -24.95%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

130.85%

WDC: 130.85%
Max: 44.01%
Q3: 18.43%
Median: 10.41%
Q1: 0.66%
Min: -24.95%

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their ROE against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Western Digital (WDC) at 72.95% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Seagate Technology (STX) at 26.11% also retains a top-quartile share.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

26.11%

STX: 26.11%
Max: 26.11%
Q3: 10.66%
Median: 3.40%
Q1: -0.39%
Min: -11.93%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

72.95%

WDC: 72.95%
Max: 26.11%
Q3: 10.66%
Median: 3.40%
Q1: -0.39%
Min: -11.93%

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their net margin against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Before financing and tax, both Seagate Technology (STX) at 43.07% and Western Digital (WDC) at 42.86% run unusually efficient core operations — each operating margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

43.07%

STX: 43.07%
Max: 36.90%
Q3: 17.13%
Median: 7.40%
Q1: 2.09%
Min: -18.45%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

42.86%

WDC: 42.86%
Max: 36.90%
Q3: 17.13%
Median: 7.40%
Q1: 2.09%
Min: -18.45%

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their operating margin against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	STX	WDC
ROE (TTM)	371.53%	130.85%
ROA (TTM)	29.36%	20.63%
Net Margin (TTM)	26.11%	72.95%
Operating Margin (TTM)	43.07%	42.86%
Gross Margin (TTM)	45.58%	48.85%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both companies are growing quickly, but Western Digital (WDC) at 50.70% is the standout with revenue growth above its industry range; Seagate Technology (STX) at 34.06% also sits in the top quartile.

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Seagate Technology (STX) reports EPS growth of 105.32%, ranked against its industry; Western Digital (WDC) has no EPS growth figure this period.

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	STX	WDC
Revenue Growth (YoY)	34.06%	50.70%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	18.20%	-20.28%
EPS Growth (YoY)	105.32%	--
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	--	2.66%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Seagate Technology (STX) at 1.67 and Western Digital (WDC) at 1.33 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

1.67

Max: 4.95
Q3: 3.05
Median: 1.99
STX: 1.67
Q1: 1.32
Min: 0.17

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

1.33

Max: 4.95
Q3: 3.05
Median: 1.99
WDC: 1.33
Q1: 1.32
Min: 0.17

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their current ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Western Digital (WDC) at 0.12 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Seagate Technology (STX) at 1.80 uses more debt funding than most peers.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

1.80

STX: 1.80
Max: 1.80
Q3: 0.82
Median: 0.27
Q1: 0.04
Min: 0.00

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.12

Max: 1.80
Q3: 0.82
Median: 0.27
WDC: 0.12
Q1: 0.04
Min: 0.00

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	STX	WDC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.67	1.33
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.80	0.12
Net Debt / EBITDA	0.49	-0.11

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Seagate Technology (STX) at 0.35% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Western Digital (WDC) at 0.10% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, STX the richer one.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.35%

Max: 0.74%
STX: 0.35%
Q3: 0.32%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.10%

Max: 0.74%
Q3: 0.32%
WDC: 0.10%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Seagate Technology (STX) reports payout ratio above 100% at 1,163.31%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Western Digital (WDC) reports 2.06%, ranking against industry peers normally.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

1,163.31%

STX: 1,163.31%
Max: 34.91%
Q3: 14.28%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

2.06%

Max: 34.91%
Q3: 14.28%
WDC: 2.06%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	STX	WDC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.35%	0.10%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	1,163.31%	2.06%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Western Digital (WDC) at 20.08 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Seagate Technology (STX) at 3,269.23 trades above its peer range — a wide earnings-valuation gap relative to industry peers.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

3,269.23

STX: 3,269.23
Max: 106.10
Q3: 62.78
Median: 36.76
Q1: 22.85
Min: 11.58

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

20.08

Max: 106.10
Q3: 62.78
Median: 36.76
Q1: 22.85
WDC: 20.08
Min: 11.58

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Both Seagate Technology (STX) at 15.82 and Western Digital (WDC) at 13.57 command a richer price per dollar of sales than most peers, sitting in the upper P/S ratio quartile of their industries.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

15.82

Max: 17.14
STX: 15.82
Q3: 7.76
Median: 3.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

13.57

Max: 17.14
WDC: 13.57
Q3: 7.76
Median: 3.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Measured against book value, both Seagate Technology (STX) at 174.18 and Western Digital (WDC) at 24.33 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.

STX

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

174.18

STX: 174.18
Max: 17.63
Q3: 8.56
Median: 4.23
Q1: 2.14
Min: -1.92

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

24.33

WDC: 24.33
Max: 17.63
Q3: 8.56
Median: 4.23
Q1: 2.14
Min: -1.92

Seagate Technology (STX) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Seagate Technology (STX) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	STX	WDC
P/E Ratio (TTM)	3,269.23	20.08
P/S Ratio (TTM)	15.82	13.57
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	174.18	24.33
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.01%	1.32%