Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)

IBM leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Applied Materials, Inc. and International Business Machines 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 — AMAT vs IBM

growth of $100 · last 30y
AMAT +13153.5%IBM +1021.7%AMAT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$13,254$1,122
AMAT IBM

AMAT vs IBM: by the numbers

  • AMAT is the larger company ($450.37B vs $255.87B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.07 vs 53.31 P/E).
  • AMAT converts more revenue to profit (29.31% vs 15.61% net margin).
  • AMAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.33% vs -0.09% CAGR).
  • IBM pays the higher dividend yield (2.47% vs 0.34%).

Which is better, AMAT or IBM?

Metric tally: AMAT 8 · IBM 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueIBM(lower P/E)
GrowthAMAT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIBM(higher dividend yield)
QualityAMAT(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAMATIBM
P/E ratio53.3124.07
Forward P/E46.3820.33
P/S ratio15.623.76
P/B ratio18.967.86
PEG ratio76.900.35
EV / EBITDA41.8919.49
FCF yield1.32%5.05%

Profitability

MetricAMATIBM
Gross margin48.96%58.97%
Operating margin29.51%16.36%
Net margin29.31%15.61%
ROE35.58%32.61%
ROIC21.96%8.57%

Dividends

MetricAMATIBM
Dividend yield0.34%2.47%
Payout ratio21.93%59.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAMATIBM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.33%-0.09%
EPS CAGR (5Y)17.13%12.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.02%-3.35%
Total return CAGR (5Y)34.01%18.04%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AMAT or IBM?
It depends on your goal. value: IBM (lower P/E); growth: AMAT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IBM (higher dividend yield); quality: AMAT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IBM leads 9 to 8.
Is AMAT or IBM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, IBM is cheaper: AMAT trades at a 53.31 P/E and IBM at 24.07.
Which has grown faster, AMAT or IBM?
Over the past five years, AMAT grew revenue faster — AMAT at a 9.33% CAGR versus IBM at -0.09%.
Does AMAT or IBM pay a bigger dividend?
AMAT yields 0.34% and IBM yields 2.47% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AMAT or IBM more profitable?
AMAT runs the higher net margin — AMAT at 29.31% versus IBM at 15.61%.
Which has been the better investment, AMAT or IBM?
Over the past 10-year, AMAT delivered the higher annualized total return — AMAT at 38.64% versus IBM at 11.01%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.