Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA)
AAPL leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics, though BABA is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Apple Inc. and Alibaba Group Holding Limited across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AAPL
Apple Inc.
$291.13Technology
BABA
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
$112.82Consumer Cyclical
Total return — AAPL vs BABA
growth of $100 · last 12yAAPL +1053.4%BABA +20.2%AAPL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AAPL BABA
AAPL vs BABA: by the numbers
- •AAPL is the larger company ($4.28T vs $270.67B market cap).
- •BABA trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.22 vs 35.20 P/E).
- •AAPL converts more revenue to profit (27.15% vs 10.09% net margin).
- •AAPL grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.76% vs 6.31% CAGR).
- •BABA pays the higher dividend yield (0.93% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, AAPL or BABA?
Metric tally: AAPL 9 · BABA 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueBABA(lower P/E)
GrowthAAPL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeBABA(higher dividend yield)
QualityAAPL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.20 | 18.22● |
| Forward P/E | 30.22 | — |
| P/S ratio | 9.52 | 1.87● |
| P/B ratio | 40.37 | 1.77● |
| PEG ratio | 1.51 | 0.23● |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.12 | 13.88● |
| FCF yield | 3.00% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.86%● | 39.77% |
| Operating margin | 32.64%● | 5.78% |
| Net margin | 27.15%● | 10.09% |
| ROE | 115.10%● | 9.58% |
| ROIC | 51.97%● | 3.17% |
Dividends
| Metric | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.36% | 0.93%● |
| Payout ratio | 14.02% | 15.89% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AAPL | BABA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.76%● | 6.31% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.73%● | -4.87% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.38%● | -62.38% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.58%● | -10.73% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AAPL or BABA?
- It depends on your goal. value: BABA (lower P/E); growth: AAPL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: BABA (higher dividend yield); quality: AAPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AAPL leads 9 to 6.
- Is AAPL or BABA cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, BABA is cheaper: AAPL trades at a 35.20 P/E and BABA at 18.22.
- Which has grown faster, AAPL or BABA?
- Over the past five years, AAPL grew revenue faster — AAPL at a 6.76% CAGR versus BABA at 6.31%.
- Does AAPL or BABA pay a bigger dividend?
- AAPL yields 0.36% and BABA yields 0.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AAPL or BABA more profitable?
- AAPL runs the higher net margin — AAPL at 27.15% versus BABA at 10.09%.
- Which has been the better investment, AAPL or BABA?
- Over the past 10-year, AAPL delivered the higher annualized total return — AAPL at 29.17% versus BABA at 4.68%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Apple P/E ratioAlibaba Group P/E ratioApple dividend yieldAlibaba Group dividend yieldApple ROEAlibaba Group ROEApple operating marginAlibaba Group operating marginApple revenue growthAlibaba Group revenue growthApple free cash flowAlibaba Group free cash flow
Apple & Alibaba Group appear in these rankings
Highest ROE StocksHighest ROIC StocksHighest Operating Margin StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks
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Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.