International Business Machines (IBM)vsWalmart Inc. (WMT)
IBM
International Business Machines
$229.76
+0.06%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $217.40B
WMT
Walmart Inc.
$130.43
+0.37%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $1.04T
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Walmart Inc. generates 935% more annual revenue ($713.16B vs $68.91B). IBM leads profitability with a 15.6% profit margin vs 3.1%. IBM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.11. IBM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 60/100 (C).
IBM
Buy60
out of 100
Grade: C
WMT
Hold43
out of 100
Grade: D
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-29.8%
Fair Value
$178.18
Current Price
$229.76
$51.58 premium
Margin of Safety
-90.0%
Fair Value
$68.54
Current Price
$130.43
$61.89 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 36 in profit
Generating 4.8B in free cash flow
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Every $100 of equity generates 22 in profit
Generating 6.1B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Weak financial health signals
Elevated debt levels
Trading at 10.4x book value
3.1% margin — thin
Operating margin of 4.6%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : IBM
The strongest argument for IBM centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Free Cash Flow. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.6% and operating margin at 13.8%.
Bull Case : WMT
The strongest argument for WMT centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
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 : WMT
The primary concerns for WMT are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 47.7x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.1% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
IBM profiles as a mature stock while WMT is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
WMT carries more volatility with a beta of 0.65 — expect wider price swings.
IBM is growing revenue faster at 9.5% — sustainability is the question.
WMT generates stronger free cash flow (6.1B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
IBM scores higher overall (60/100 vs 43/100), backed by strong 15.6% margins. 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.
Visit Website →Walmart Inc.
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA
Walmart Inc. is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores from the United States, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. It also owns and operates Sam's Club retail warehouses.
Visit Website →Compare with Other INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Stocks
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