Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL) vs International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)

A side-by-side comparison of Dell Technologies Inc. and International Business Machines Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnDELL vs IBM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
DELL +4074.5% (+45.2%/yr)IBM +132.1% (+8.8%/yr)DELL compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$4,174$232
DELL IBM

DELL vs IBM: by the numbers

  • DELL is the larger company ($292.63B vs $224.62B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.91 vs 36.37 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • IBM converts more revenue to profit (15.52% vs 6.28% net margin).
  • DELL grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.14% vs 1.13% CAGR).
  • IBM pays the higher dividend yield (2.85% vs 0.50%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDELLIBM
P/E ratio36.3720.91
Forward P/E45.9219.18
P/S ratio2.243.26
P/B ratioN/A6.53
EV / EBITDA23.2016.14
FCF yield3.14%6.48%

Profitability

MetricDELLIBM
Gross margin19.07%58.43%
Operating margin8.02%17.86%
Net margin6.28%15.52%
ROE-240.32%31.13%
ROIC15.00%10.37%

Dividends

MetricDELLIBM
Dividend yield0.50%2.85%
Payout ratio25.78%59.33%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDELLIBM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.14%1.13%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.44%12.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.29%-5.01%
Total return CAGR (5Y)58.83%16.22%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, DELL or IBM?
IBM has the lower trailing P/E: DELL trades at 36.37 and IBM at 20.91. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, DELL or IBM?
Over the past five years, DELL grew revenue faster — DELL at a 7.14% CAGR versus IBM at 1.13%.
Does DELL or IBM pay a bigger dividend?
DELL yields 0.50% and IBM yields 2.85% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DELL or IBM more profitable?
IBM runs the higher net margin — DELL at 6.28% versus IBM at 15.52%.
How have DELL and IBM total returns compared?
Over the past 5 years, DELL delivered 58.83% and IBM delivered 8.76% annualized total return. 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 August 11, 2026.