Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB)
AAPL and KMB are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.
A side-by-side comparison of Apple Inc. and Kimberly-Clark Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AAPL vs KMB
growth of $100 · last 30yAAPL +136113.9%KMB +195.9%AAPL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AAPL KMB
AAPL vs KMB: by the numbers
- •AAPL is the larger company ($4.28T vs $33.95B market cap).
- •KMB trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.06 vs 35.20 P/E).
- •AAPL converts more revenue to profit (27.15% vs 12.81% net margin).
- •AAPL grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.76% vs -2.61% CAGR).
- •KMB pays the higher dividend yield (4.97% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, AAPL or KMB?
Metric tally: AAPL 8 · KMB 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueKMB(lower P/E)
GrowthAAPL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKMB(higher dividend yield)
QualityAAPL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AAPL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.20 | 16.06● |
| Forward P/E | 30.21 | 13.49● |
| P/S ratio | 9.52 | 2.06● |
| P/B ratio | 40.37 | 18.98● |
| PEG ratio | 1.51 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.12 | 13.26● |
| FCF yield | 3.00% | 7.56%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AAPL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.86%● | 35.86% |
| Operating margin | 32.64%● | 13.27% |
| Net margin | 27.15%● | 12.81% |
| ROE | 115.10% | 117.98%● |
| ROIC | 51.97%● | 17.62% |
Dividends
| Metric | AAPL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.36% | 4.97%● |
| Payout ratio | 14.02% | 83.55% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AAPL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.76%● | -2.61% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.73%● | -2.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.38%● | 3.38% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.58%● | -0.94% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AAPL or KMB?
- It depends on your goal. value: KMB (lower P/E); growth: AAPL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KMB (higher dividend yield); quality: AAPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is AAPL or KMB cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, KMB is cheaper: AAPL trades at a 35.20 P/E and KMB at 16.06.
- Which has grown faster, AAPL or KMB?
- Over the past five years, AAPL grew revenue faster — AAPL at a 6.76% CAGR versus KMB at -2.61%.
- Does AAPL or KMB pay a bigger dividend?
- AAPL yields 0.36% and KMB yields 4.97% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AAPL or KMB more profitable?
- AAPL runs the higher net margin — AAPL at 27.15% versus KMB at 12.81%.
- Which has been the better investment, AAPL or KMB?
- Over the past 10-year, AAPL delivered the higher annualized total return — AAPL at 29.17% versus KMB at 1.05%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Apple P/E ratioKimberly-Clark P/E ratioApple dividend yieldKimberly-Clark dividend yieldApple ROEKimberly-Clark ROEApple operating marginKimberly-Clark operating marginApple revenue growthKimberly-Clark revenue growthApple free cash flowKimberly-Clark free cash flow
Apple & Kimberly-Clark appear in these rankings
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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 14, 2026.