WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsJohnson & Johnson (JNJ)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Johnson & Johnson generates 40% more annual revenue ($96.36B vs $68.91B). JNJ leads profitability with a 21.8% profit margin vs 15.6%. IBM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.11. IBM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 60/100 (C).

IBM

Buy

60

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.5Value: 4.0Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.29

JNJ

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.7Profit: 9.0Value: 3.3Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.64
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

IBMSignificantly Overvalued (-29.8%)

Margin of Safety

-29.8%

Fair Value

$178.18

Current Price

$229.76

$51.58 premium

UndervaluedFair: $178.18Overvalued
JNJSignificantly Overvalued (-38.5%)

Margin of Safety

-38.5%

Fair Value

$160.72

Current Price

$221.32

$60.60 premium

UndervaluedFair: $160.72Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

IBM3 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$217.40B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
35.8%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 36 in profit

Free Cash FlowQuality
$4.78B8/10

Generating 4.8B in free cash flow

JNJ5 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$535.63B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
26.4%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
21.8%9/10

Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
27.4%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 27.4%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.47B8/10

Generating 1.5B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

IBM3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.114/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Debt/EquityHealth
2.061/10

Elevated debt levels

JNJ3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
P/E RatioValuation
25.8x4/10

Moderate valuation

PEG RatioValuation
2.922/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-52.9%2/10

Earnings declined 52.9%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : IBM

The strongest argument for IBM centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Free Cash Flow. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.6% and operating margin at 13.8%.

Bull Case : JNJ

The strongest argument for JNJ centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 21.8% and operating margin at 27.4%.

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 : JNJ

The primary concerns for JNJ are P/E Ratio, PEG Ratio, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

IBM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.58 — expect wider price swings.

JNJ is growing revenue faster at 9.9% — sustainability is the question.

IBM generates stronger free cash flow (4.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

IBM scores higher overall (60/100 vs 59/100), backed by strong 15.6% margins. Both earn "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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Johnson & Johnson

HEALTHCARE · DRUG MANUFACTURERS - GENERAL · USA

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is an American multinational corporation founded in 1886 that develops medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is ranked No. 36 on the 2021 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue. Johnson & Johnson is one of the world's most valuable companies, and is one of only two U.S.-based companies that has a prime credit rating of AAA, higher than that of the United States government.

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