WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsMoodys Corporation (MCO)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

International Business Machines generates 775% more annual revenue ($67.53B vs $7.72B). MCO leads profitability with a 31.9% profit margin vs 15.7%. MCO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.93. MCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 71/100 (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

MCO

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 9.5Value: 10.0Quality: 6.8
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 2.99
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
MCOUndervalued (+33.1%)

Margin of Safety

+33.1%

Fair Value

$639.76

Current Price

$428.05

$211.71 discount

UndervaluedFair: $639.76Overvalued

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

MCO5 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
62.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 62 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
31.9%10/10

Keeps 32 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
42.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 42.1%

EPS GrowthGrowth
57.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 57.6% YoY

Market CapQuality
$76.27B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

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

MCO3 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.934/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
31.3x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
18.7x4/10

Trading at 18.7x book value

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 : MCO

The strongest argument for MCO centers on Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.9% and operating margin at 42.1%. Revenue growth of 13.0% 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 : MCO

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

MCO carries more volatility with a beta of 1.44 — expect wider price swings.

MCO is growing revenue faster at 13.0% — sustainability is the question.

IBM generates stronger free cash flow (3.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

MCO scores higher overall (71/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 31.9% margins and 13.0% revenue growth. IBM offers better value entry with a 53.7% 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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Moodys Corporation

FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES · USA

Moody's Corporation, often referred to as Moody's, is an American business and financial services company. It is the holding company for Moody's Investors Service (MIS), an American credit rating agency, and Moody's Analytics (MA), an American provider of financial analysis software and services.

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