WallStSmart

International Business Machines (IBM)vsN-Able Inc (NABL)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

International Business Machines generates 12978% more annual revenue ($68.91B vs $526.91M). IBM leads profitability with a 15.6% profit margin vs -2.0%. IBM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 59/100 (C).

IBM

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.5Value: 4.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.29

NABL

Hold

39

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 5.3Profit: 3.5Value: 6.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 1.33
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

IBMSignificantly Overvalued (-74.3%)

Margin of Safety

-74.3%

Fair Value

$130.59

Current Price

$235.90

$105.31 premium

UndervaluedFair: $130.59Overvalued
NABLUndervalued (+35.2%)

Margin of Safety

+35.2%

Fair Value

$8.40

Current Price

$5.21

$3.19 discount

UndervaluedFair: $8.40Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

IBM3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
31.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 31 in profit

Market CapQuality
$193.40B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.21B8/10

Generating 2.2B in free cash flow

NABL1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

IBM3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.034/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Debt/EquityHealth
1.893/10

Elevated debt levels

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

NABL4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$953.19M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Return on EquityProfitability
-1.3%2/10

ROE of -1.3% — below average capital efficiency

EPS GrowthGrowth
-87.3%2/10

Earnings declined 87.3%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : IBM

The strongest argument for IBM centers on Return on Equity, Market Cap, Free Cash Flow. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.6% and operating margin at 13.8%.

Bull Case : NABL

The strongest argument for NABL centers on Price/Book. Revenue growth of 13.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : IBM

The primary concerns for IBM are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score. Debt-to-equity of 1.89 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : NABL

The primary concerns for NABL are Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score, Return on Equity.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

IBM profiles as a mature stock while NABL is a turnaround play — different risk/reward profiles.

IBM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.68 — expect wider price swings.

NABL is growing revenue faster at 13.1% — sustainability is the question.

IBM generates stronger free cash flow (2.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

IBM scores higher overall (59/100 vs 39/100), backed by strong 15.6% margins. NABL offers better value entry with a 35.2% margin of safety. Both earn "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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N-Able Inc

TECHNOLOGY · INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES · USA

N-able Inc. (NABL) is a leading player in the managed services industry, delivering innovative cloud-based software solutions tailored for managed service providers (MSPs). The company's comprehensive platform optimizes IT management and security, enabling MSPs to enhance operational efficiency and service quality in response to growing cybersecurity and remote monitoring needs. With a commitment to continuous innovation and strategic growth initiatives, N-able is ideally positioned for significant expansion, making it a compelling investment opportunity for institutional investors targeting technology-driven sectors.

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