WallStSmart

Apple Inc (AAPL)vsVeriSign Inc (VRSN)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Apple Inc generates 26720% more annual revenue ($451.44B vs $1.68B). VRSN leads profitability with a 50.0% profit margin vs 27.2%. AAPL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.46. AAPL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).

AAPL

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 10.0Value: 4.3Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 7/9Altman Z: 2.42

VRSN

Buy

52

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 8.5Value: 3.7Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: -8.96

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AAPL6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Market CapQuality
$4.63T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
115.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 115 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
32.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.3%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$26.73B10/10

Generating 26.7B in free cash flow

Profit MarginProfitability
27.2%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
16.6%8/10

16.6% revenue growth

VRSN3 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Profit MarginProfitability
50.0%10/10

Keeps 50 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
68.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 68.4%

Debt/EquityHealth
-0.8110/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

AAPL3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.464/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
38.2x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
42.3x2/10

Trading at 42.3x book value

VRSN4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
31.0x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

PEG RatioValuation
3.382/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-8.962/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AAPL

The strongest argument for AAPL centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.2% and operating margin at 32.3%. Revenue growth of 16.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : VRSN

The strongest argument for VRSN centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 50.0% and operating margin at 68.4%.

Bear Case : AAPL

The primary concerns for AAPL are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Bear Case : VRSN

The primary concerns for VRSN are P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AAPL profiles as a growth stock while VRSN is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

AAPL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.06 — expect wider price swings.

AAPL is growing revenue faster at 16.6% — sustainability is the question.

AAPL generates stronger free cash flow (26.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

AAPL scores higher overall (67/100 vs 52/100), backed by strong 27.2% margins and 16.6% 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.

Apple Inc

TECHNOLOGY · CONSUMER ELECTRONICS · USA

Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company that specializes in consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Apple is the world's largest technology company by revenue (totalling $274.5 billion in 2020) and, since January 2021, the world's most valuable company. As of 2021, Apple is the world's fourth-largest PC vendor by unit sales, and fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer. It is one of the Big Five American information technology companies, along with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.

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VeriSign Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Verisign Inc. is an American company based in Reston, Virginia, United States that operates a diverse array of network infrastructure, including two of the Internet's thirteen root nameservers. Verisign also offers a range of security services, including managed DNS, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack mitigation and cyber-threat reporting.

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