WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsProgressive Corp (PGR)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Progressive Corp generates 30% more annual revenue ($87.64B vs $67.53B). IBM leads profitability with a 15.7% profit margin vs 12.9%. 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

PGR

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 8.0Profit: 7.5Value: 7.3Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 4/9
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
PGRUndervalued (+76.9%)

Margin of Safety

+76.9%

Fair Value

$900.43

Current Price

$202.84

$697.59 discount

UndervaluedFair: $900.43Overvalued

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

PGR5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
10.7x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
40.5%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 41 in profit

Market CapQuality
$120.67B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

EPS GrowthGrowth
25.2%8/10

Earnings expanding 25.2% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$3.05B8/10

Generating 3.0B in free cash flow

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

PGR1 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
31.572/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

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 : PGR

The strongest argument for PGR centers on P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 12.2% 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 : PGR

The primary concerns for PGR are PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

IBM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.71 — expect wider price swings.

PGR 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 67/100), backed by strong 15.7% margins and 12.2% revenue growth. PGR offers better value entry with a 76.9% 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.

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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Progressive Corp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - PROPERTY & CASUALTY · USA

The Progressive Corporation is an American insurance company, one of the largest providers of car insurance in the United States. The company insures motorcycles, boats, RVs, and commercial vehicles and provides home insurance through select companies.

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