WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsUnion Pacific Corporation (UNP)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

International Business Machines generates 176% more annual revenue ($67.53B vs $24.51B). UNP leads profitability with a 29.1% 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

UNP

Buy

60

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 3.3Profit: 9.5Value: 5.3Quality: 5.0
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
UNPOvervalued (-13.1%)

Margin of Safety

-13.1%

Fair Value

$211.98

Current Price

$241.33

$29.35 premium

UndervaluedFair: $211.98Overvalued

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

UNP5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Return on EquityProfitability
40.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 40 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
40.9%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 40.9%

Market CapQuality
$142.22B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
29.1%9/10

Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.23B8/10

Generating 1.2B 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

UNP2 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.692/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-0.6%2/10

Revenue declined 0.6%

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 : UNP

The strongest argument for UNP centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.1% and operating margin at 40.9%.

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 : UNP

The primary concerns for UNP are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

IBM profiles as a mature stock while UNP is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

UNP carries more volatility with a beta of 0.95 — 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 60/100), 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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Union Pacific Corporation

INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA

The Union Pacific Corporation (Union Pacific) is a publicly traded railroad holding company. It was incorporated in Utah in 1969 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. It is the parent company of the current, Delaware-registered, form of the Union Pacific Railroad.

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