WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsIQVIA Holdings Inc (IQV)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

International Business Machines generates 314% more annual revenue ($67.53B vs $16.31B). IBM leads profitability with a 15.7% profit margin vs 8.3%. IQV appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.97. IQV earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).

IBM

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.0Value: 10.0Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.29

IQV

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.0Value: 10.0Quality: 4.3
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.33
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

IBMUndervalued (+53.7%)

Margin of Safety

+53.7%

Fair Value

$521.35

Current Price

$241.39

$279.96 discount

UndervaluedFair: $521.35Overvalued
IQVUndervalued (+49.1%)

Margin of Safety

+49.1%

Fair Value

$348.46

Current Price

$165.64

$182.82 discount

UndervaluedFair: $348.46Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

IBM5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$225.77B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
35.2%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 35 in profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
89.9%10/10

Earnings expanding 89.9% YoY

Operating MarginProfitability
24.8%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 24.8%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$3.13B8/10

Generating 3.1B in free cash flow

IQV3 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Return on EquityProfitability
21.4%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.978/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

EPS GrowthGrowth
23.6%8/10

Earnings expanding 23.6% YoY

Areas to Watch

IBM3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.264/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Debt/EquityHealth
2.061/10

Elevated debt levels

IQV1 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.332/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

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.

Bull Case : IQV

The strongest argument for IQV centers on Return on Equity, PEG Ratio, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 10.3% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.97 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

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.

Bear Case : IQV

The primary concerns for IQV are Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

IBM profiles as a mature stock while IQV is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

IQV carries more volatility with a beta of 1.41 — 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

IQV scores higher overall (72/100 vs 70/100) and 10.3% revenue growth. IBM offers better value entry with a 53.7% 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.

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.

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IQVIA Holdings Inc

HEALTHCARE · DIAGNOSTICS & RESEARCH · USA

IQVIA, formerly Quintiles and IMS Health, Inc., is an American multinational company serving the combined industries of health information technology and clinical research. It is a provider of biopharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services, focused primarily on Phase I-IV clinical trials and associated laboratory and analytical services, including consulting services.

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