HCA Holdings Inc (HCA)vsInternational Business Machines (IBM)
HCA
HCA Holdings Inc
$484.02
-0.35%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $108.62B
IBM
International Business Machines
$241.39
+0.33%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $225.77B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
HCA Holdings Inc generates 12% more annual revenue ($75.60B vs $67.53B). IBM leads profitability with a 15.7% profit margin vs 9.0%. HCA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.35. IBM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B-).
HCA
Strong Buy69
out of 100
Grade: B-
IBM
Strong Buy70
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+59.9%
Fair Value
$1326.31
Current Price
$484.02
$842.29 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
Every $100 of equity generates 136 in profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Large-cap with strong market position
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Earnings expanding 44.5% YoY
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
Distress zone — elevated risk
Expensive relative to growth rate
Weak financial health signals
Elevated debt levels
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : HCA
The strongest argument for HCA centers on Return on Equity, Debt/Equity, Market Cap. PEG of 1.35 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
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 : HCA
The primary concerns for HCA are Altman Z-Score.
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
HCA profiles as a value stock while IBM is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
HCA carries more volatility with a beta of 1.34 — expect wider price swings.
IBM is growing revenue faster at 12.2% — sustainability is the question.
IBM generates stronger free cash flow (3.1B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
IBM scores higher overall (70/100 vs 69/100), backed by strong 15.7% margins and 12.2% revenue growth. HCA offers better value entry with a 59.9% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong 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.
HCA Holdings Inc
HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES · USA
HCA Healthcare is an American for-profit operator of health care facilities that was founded in 1968. It is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and, as of May 2020, owns and operates 186 hospitals and approximately 2,000 sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers and physician clinics in 21 states and the United Kingdom.
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 MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES Stocks
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