WallStSmart

Adobe Systems Incorporated (ADBE)vsWaters Corporation (WAT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Adobe Systems Incorporated generates 549% more annual revenue ($24.45B vs $3.77B). ADBE leads profitability with a 29.5% profit margin vs 11.9%. ADBE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.72. ADBE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

ADBE

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 10.0Value: 8.7Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.35

WAT

Buy

52

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 5.3Profit: 5.5Value: 3.3Quality: 6.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.92
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ADBEUndervalued (+41.5%)

Margin of Safety

+41.5%

Fair Value

$438.58

Current Price

$253.04

$185.54 discount

UndervaluedFair: $438.58Overvalued
WATSignificantly Overvalued (-63.1%)

Margin of Safety

-63.1%

Fair Value

$201.83

Current Price

$355.13

$153.30 premium

UndervaluedFair: $201.83Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ADBE6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Return on EquityProfitability
58.8%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 59 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
38.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 38.8%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.3510/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$103.68B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
29.5%9/10

Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.728/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

WAT2 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
91.5%10/10

Revenue surging 91.5% year-over-year

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.9210/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Areas to Watch

ADBE1 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
Price/BookValuation
9.0x4/10

Trading at 9.0x book value

WAT4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.524/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
8.3x4/10

Trading at 8.3x book value

Return on EquityProfitability
5.2%3/10

ROE of 5.2% — below average capital efficiency

P/E RatioValuation
44.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ADBE

The strongest argument for ADBE centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Altman Z-Score. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.5% and operating margin at 38.8%. Revenue growth of 12.0% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : WAT

The strongest argument for WAT centers on Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score. Revenue growth of 91.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ADBE

The primary concerns for ADBE are Price/Book.

Bear Case : WAT

The primary concerns for WAT are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Return on Equity. A P/E of 44.6x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ADBE profiles as a mature stock while WAT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

ADBE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.42 — expect wider price swings.

WAT is growing revenue faster at 91.5% — sustainability is the question.

ADBE generates stronger free cash flow (2.9B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ADBE scores higher overall (74/100 vs 52/100), backed by strong 29.5% margins and 12.0% 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.

Adobe Systems Incorporated

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

Adobe Inc. is an American multinational computer software company. Incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in San Jose, California, it has historically specialized in software for the creation and publication of a wide range of content, including graphics, photography, illustration, animation, multimedia, motion pictures and print. The company has expanded into digital marketing management software. Adobe has millions of users worldwide. Flagship products include: Photoshop image editing software, Adobe Illustrator vector-based illustration software, Adobe Acrobat Reader and the Portable Document Format (PDF), plus a host of tools primarily for audio-visual content creation, editing and publishing.

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Waters Corporation

HEALTHCARE · DIAGNOSTICS & RESEARCH · USA

Waters Corporation is a publicly traded Analytical Laboratory instrument and software company headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts.

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