Apple Inc (AAPL)vsInternational Business Machines (IBM)
AAPL
Apple Inc
$252.62
+0.39%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $3.70T
IBM
International Business Machines
$241.39
+0.33%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $225.77B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Apple Inc generates 545% more annual revenue ($435.62B vs $67.53B). AAPL leads profitability with a 27.0% profit margin vs 15.7%. AAPL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.24. IBM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B-).
AAPL
Buy65
out of 100
Grade: C+
IBM
Strong Buy70
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+11.8%
Fair Value
$285.39
Current Price
$252.62
$32.77 discount
Margin of Safety
+53.7%
Fair Value
$521.35
Current Price
$241.39
$279.96 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Strong operational efficiency at 35.4%
Generating 51.6B in free cash flow
Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit
15.7% revenue growth
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 35 in profit
Earnings expanding 89.9% YoY
Strong operational efficiency at 24.8%
Generating 3.1B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
ROE of 1.5% — below average capital efficiency
Elevated debt levels
Expensive relative to growth rate
Weak financial health signals
Elevated debt levels
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : AAPL
The strongest argument for AAPL centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, Free Cash Flow. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.0% and operating margin at 35.4%. Revenue growth of 15.7% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : IBM
The strongest argument for IBM centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.7% and operating margin at 24.8%. Revenue growth of 12.2% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : AAPL
The primary concerns for AAPL are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : IBM
The primary concerns for IBM are PEG Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 2.06 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
AAPL profiles as a growth stock while IBM is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
AAPL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.12 — expect wider price swings.
AAPL is growing revenue faster at 15.7% — sustainability is the question.
AAPL generates stronger free cash flow (51.6B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
IBM scores higher overall (70/100 vs 65/100), backed by strong 15.7% margins and 12.2% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Apple Inc
TECHNOLOGY · CONSUMER ELECTRONICS · USA
Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company that specializes in consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Apple is the world's largest technology company by revenue (totalling $274.5 billion in 2020) and, since January 2021, the world's most valuable company. As of 2021, Apple is the world's fourth-largest PC vendor by unit sales, and fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer. It is one of the Big Five American information technology companies, along with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.
Visit Website →International Business Machines
TECHNOLOGY · INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES · USA
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, with operations in over 170 countries. The company began in 1911, founded in Endicott, New York, as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and was renamed International Business Machines in 1924. IBM is incorporated in New York. IBM produces and sells computer hardware, middleware and software, and provides hosting and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology. IBM is also a major research organization, holding the record for most annual U.S. patents generated by a business (as of 2020) for 28 consecutive years. Inventions by IBM include the automated teller machine (ATM), the floppy disk, the hard disk drive, the magnetic stripe card, the relational database, the SQL programming language, the UPC barcode, and dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). The IBM mainframe, exemplified by the System/360, was the dominant computing platform during the 1960s and 1970s.
Visit Website →Compare with Other CONSUMER ELECTRONICS Stocks
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