WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsStarbucks Corporation (SBUX)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

International Business Machines generates 79% more annual revenue ($67.53B vs $37.70B). IBM leads profitability with a 15.7% profit margin vs 3.6%. SBUX appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.53. 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

SBUX

Hold

39

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 4.0Profit: 5.0Value: 4.7Quality: 4.3
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 1.07
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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
SBUXSignificantly Overvalued (-1135.9%)

Margin of Safety

-1135.9%

Fair Value

$8.02

Current Price

$92.70

$84.68 premium

UndervaluedFair: $8.02Overvalued

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

SBUX2 strengths · Avg: 8.5/10
Market CapQuality
$104.79B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.27B8/10

Generating 1.3B 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

SBUX4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.534/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
3.6%3/10

3.6% margin — thin

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

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 : SBUX

The strongest argument for SBUX centers on Market Cap, Free Cash Flow.

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 : SBUX

The primary concerns for SBUX are PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 78.0x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.6% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

SBUX carries more volatility with a beta of 0.93 — 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

IBM scores higher overall (70/100 vs 39/100), backed by strong 15.7% margins and 12.2% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" 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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Starbucks Corporation

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · RESTAURANTS · USA

Starbucks Corporation is an American multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves headquartered in Seattle, Washington. As the world's largest coffeehouse chain, Starbucks is seen to be the main representation of the United States' second wave of coffee culture.

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