WDC vs. ZBRA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at WDC and ZBRA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | WDC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Western Digital Corporation | Zebra Technologies Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components |
| Market Capitalization | 41.54 billion USD | 15.62 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | October 31, 1978 | August 15, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of WDC and ZBRA 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 | WDC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -7.68% | 3.86% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 87.47% | -4.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 254.85% | 28.84% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 141.38% | -15.87% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.93% | 3.41% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 168.94% | -20.44% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.81M | 0.49M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.78M | 0.51M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 44.10% | 37.29% |
| Beta | 1.84 | 1.69 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
WDC
21.49%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 27.52%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -1.04%
WDC’s Return on Equity of 21.49% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
ZBRA
15.38%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 21.57%
- Q3
- 13.27%
- Median
- 8.55%
- Q1
- 4.42%
- Min
- -4.21%
In the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, ZBRA’s Return on Equity of 15.38% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
WDC
14.23%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 16.15%
- Q3
- 7.95%
- Median
- 4.80%
- Q1
- 2.20%
- Min
- -0.29%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.23% places WDC in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
ZBRA
10.56%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 17.31%
- Q3
- 10.85%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -3.00%
ZBRA’s Net Profit Margin of 10.56% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
WDC
22.10%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.74%
- Median
- 6.27%
- Q1
- 4.07%
- Min
- 1.97%
WDC’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.10% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
ZBRA
15.30%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 30.04%
- Q3
- 15.08%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.27%
- Min
- -3.83%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.30% places ZBRA in the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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 | WDC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.49% | 15.38% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.38% | 6.96% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.23% | 10.56% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.10% | 15.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.00% | 48.59% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
WDC
1.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.04
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.11
WDC’s Current Ratio of 1.08 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
ZBRA
1.46
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.57
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.62
ZBRA’s Current Ratio of 1.46 falls into the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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)
WDC
0.85
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.54
- Q3
- 0.85
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
WDC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.85. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
ZBRA
0.60
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 0.54
- Median
- 0.30
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
ZBRA’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
WDC
2.04
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 76.01
- Median
- 19.47
- Q1
- 5.91
- Min
- -23.93
In the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, WDC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.04 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
ZBRA
7.83
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 79.05
- Q3
- 36.62
- Median
- 12.51
- Q1
- 3.72
- Min
- -18.73
ZBRA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.83 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | WDC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.08 | 1.46 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.84 | 0.98 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.85 | 0.60 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.04 | 7.83 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
WDC
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.33%
- Q3
- 3.29%
- Median
- 1.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
ZBRA
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.36%
- Q3
- 2.53%
- Median
- 1.28%
- Q1
- 0.16%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZBRA currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
WDC
15.60%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 77.17%
- Median
- 40.90%
- Q1
- 3.87%
- Min
- 0.00%
WDC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 15.60% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
ZBRA
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 218.94%
- Q3
- 90.25%
- Median
- 38.81%
- Q1
- 3.69%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZBRA has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | WDC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 15.60% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
WDC
22.31
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.10
- Q3
- 28.67
- Median
- 19.23
- Q1
- 15.53
- Min
- 9.46
WDC’s P/E Ratio of 22.31 is within the middle range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
ZBRA
28.01
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 74.74
- Q3
- 42.40
- Median
- 26.55
- Q1
- 20.05
- Min
- 10.12
ZBRA’s P/E Ratio of 28.01 is within the middle range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
WDC
3.17
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.04
WDC’s P/S Ratio of 3.17 aligns with the market consensus for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
ZBRA
2.96
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 3.58
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 0.20
ZBRA’s P/S Ratio of 2.96 aligns with the market consensus for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
WDC
3.99
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 6.87
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
WDC’s P/B Ratio of 3.99 is within the conventional range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.
ZBRA
4.34
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.92
- Q3
- 3.80
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.44
ZBRA’s P/B Ratio of 4.34 is in the upper tier for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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 | WDC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 22.31 | 28.01 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.17 | 2.96 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.99 | 4.34 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.85 | 18.00 |