WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsIntuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

International Business Machines generates 571% more annual revenue ($67.53B vs $10.06B). ISRG leads profitability with a 28.4% profit margin vs 15.7%. IBM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.26. IBM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (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

ISRG

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 9.0Value: 4.7Quality: 7.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 6.18
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
ISRGSignificantly Overvalued (-78.8%)

Margin of Safety

-78.8%

Fair Value

$262.88

Current Price

$469.98

$207.10 premium

UndervaluedFair: $262.88Overvalued

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

ISRG5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Operating MarginProfitability
30.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 30.2%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
6.1810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$167.61B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
28.4%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
18.8%8/10

18.8% revenue growth

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

ISRG3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.434/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
9.4x4/10

Trading at 9.4x book value

P/E RatioValuation
59.9x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

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 : ISRG

The strongest argument for ISRG centers on Operating Margin, Altman Z-Score, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.4% and operating margin at 30.2%. Revenue growth of 18.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

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 : ISRG

The primary concerns for ISRG are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 59.9x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

IBM profiles as a mature stock while ISRG is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

ISRG carries more volatility with a beta of 1.68 — expect wider price swings.

ISRG is growing revenue faster at 18.8% — 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 62/100), 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.

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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Intuitive Surgical Inc

HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES · USA

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is an American corporation that develops, manufactures, and markets robotic products designed to improve clinical outcomes of patients through minimally invasive surgery, most notably with the da Vinci Surgical System.

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