WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsNasdaq Inc (NDAQ)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

International Business Machines generates 1187% more annual revenue ($67.53B vs $5.25B). NDAQ leads profitability with a 34.1% profit margin vs 15.7%. NDAQ appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.10. 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

NDAQ

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 8.5Value: 10.0Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 5/9
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
NDAQUndervalued (+44.4%)

Margin of Safety

+44.4%

Fair Value

$144.61

Current Price

$83.74

$60.87 discount

UndervaluedFair: $144.61Overvalued

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

NDAQ3 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Profit MarginProfitability
34.1%10/10

Keeps 34 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
47.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 47.6%

EPS GrowthGrowth
47.6%8/10

Earnings expanding 47.6% 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

NDAQ2 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.104/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
28.0x4/10

Moderate valuation

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 : NDAQ

The strongest argument for NDAQ centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.1% and operating margin at 47.6%. Revenue growth of 13.4% 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 : NDAQ

The primary concerns for NDAQ are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

NDAQ carries more volatility with a beta of 1.03 — expect wider price swings.

NDAQ is growing revenue faster at 13.4% — sustainability is the question.

IBM generates stronger free cash flow (3.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

IBM scores higher overall (70/100 vs 69/100), backed by strong 15.7% margins and 12.2% revenue growth. NDAQ offers better value entry with a 44.4% 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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Nasdaq Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES · USA

Nasdaq, Inc. is an American multinational financial services corporation that owns and operates stock exchanges in the United States and Europe. It is headquartered in New York City.

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