STX vs. WDC: Seagate Technology vs. Western Digital Stock Comparison
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.
| 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 | 218.33 billion USD | 220.16 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
Trailing Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | STX | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 574.13% | 900.86% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Risk Metrics
| Metric | STX | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 67.02% | 70.78% |
| Beta (5Y) | 2.05 | 2.12 |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 4.27M | 8.45M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Seagate Technology (STX) at 1,787.97% and Western Digital (WDC) at 85.92% 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
1,787.97%
- STX
- 1,787.97%
- Max
- 44.16%
- Q3
- 19.25%
- Median
- 10.96%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- -25.92%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
85.92%
- WDC
- 85.92%
- Max
- 44.16%
- Q3
- 19.25%
- Median
- 10.96%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- -25.92%
Net Margin (TTM)
Western Digital (WDC) at 55.29% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Seagate Technology (STX) at 21.60% also retains a top-quartile share.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
21.60%
- Max
- 30.43%
- STX
- 21.60%
- Q3
- 12.33%
- Median
- 4.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -14.09%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
55.29%
- WDC
- 55.29%
- Max
- 30.43%
- Q3
- 12.33%
- Median
- 4.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -14.09%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Western Digital (WDC) at 37.01% shows unusually strong operating efficiency — above its industry’s operating margin range — and Seagate Technology (STX) at 35.67% also operates in the top quartile.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
35.67%
- STX
- 35.67%
- Max
- 35.67%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 6.62%
- Q1
- 1.99%
- Min
- -18.24%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
37.01%
- WDC
- 37.01%
- Max
- 35.67%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 6.62%
- Q1
- 1.99%
- Min
- -18.24%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | STX | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 1,787.97% | 85.92% |
| ROA (TTM) | 24.66% | 14.65% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 21.60% | 55.29% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 35.67% | 37.01% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 41.57% | 45.43% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth Metrics
| Metric | STX | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 38.86% | 50.70% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -7.94% | -20.28% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth Metrics
| Metric | STX | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -- | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 2.66% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Seagate Technology (STX) at 1.33 and Western Digital (WDC) at 1.49 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.33
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.90
- STX
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.40
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
1.49
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.90
- WDC
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.40
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Western Digital (WDC) at 0.18 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Seagate Technology (STX) at 3.82 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
3.82
- STX
- 3.82
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.88
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.06
- Min
- 0.00
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.18
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.88
- Median
- 0.31
- WDC
- 0.18
- Q1
- 0.06
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | STX | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 1.49 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 3.82 | 0.18 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.86 | -0.39 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Seagate Technology (STX) at 0.30% and Western Digital (WDC) at 0.07% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.30%
- Max
- 0.72%
- Q3
- 0.35%
- STX
- 0.30%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
0.07%
- Max
- 0.72%
- Q3
- 0.35%
- WDC
- 0.07%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Western Digital (WDC) at 2.69% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Seagate Technology (STX) at 27.70% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
27.70%
- Max
- 32.92%
- STX
- 27.70%
- Q3
- 13.87%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
2.69%
- Max
- 32.92%
- Q3
- 13.87%
- WDC
- 2.69%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | STX | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.30% | 0.07% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 27.70% | 2.69% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Western Digital (WDC) at 38.18 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Seagate Technology (STX) at 91.73 sits in the richer quartile — STX needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
91.73
- Max
- 164.07
- STX
- 91.73
- Q3
- 82.72
- Median
- 38.67
- Q1
- 23.21
- Min
- 8.13
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
38.18
- Max
- 164.07
- Q3
- 82.72
- Median
- 38.67
- WDC
- 38.18
- Q1
- 23.21
- Min
- 8.13
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Both look expensive on sales: Western Digital (WDC) at 18.69 sits in the upper P/S ratio quartile, and Seagate Technology (STX) at 19.83 prices even higher, above its industry range.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
19.83
- STX
- 19.83
- Max
- 18.69
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 3.88
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.00
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
18.69
- WDC
- 18.69
- Max
- 18.69
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 3.88
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Measured against book value, both Seagate Technology (STX) at 197.75 and Western Digital (WDC) at 30.54 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.
STX
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
197.75
- STX
- 197.75
- Max
- 19.99
- Q3
- 9.52
- Median
- 4.43
- Q1
- 2.28
- Min
- -3.84
WDC
Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group
30.54
- WDC
- 30.54
- Max
- 19.99
- Q3
- 9.52
- Median
- 4.43
- Q1
- 2.28
- Min
- -3.84
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | STX | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 91.73 | 38.18 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 19.83 | 18.69 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 197.75 | 30.54 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 0.74% | 0.94% |