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

IBM leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

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 June 27, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — DELL vs IBM

growth of $100 · last 10y
DELL +3209.8%IBM +76.1%DELL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$3,310$176
DELL IBM

DELL vs IBM: by the numbers

  • DELL is the larger company ($265.36B vs $253.60B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.84 vs 31.73 P/E).
  • IBM converts more revenue to profit (15.61% vs 6.28% net margin).
  • DELL grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.14% vs -0.09% CAGR).
  • IBM pays the higher dividend yield (2.62% vs 0.63%).

Which is better, DELL or IBM?

Metric tally: DELL 6 · IBM 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDELLIBM
P/E ratio31.7322.84
Forward P/E21.6819.28
P/S ratio1.963.57
P/B ratio7.46
PEG ratio0.340.35
EV / EBITDA21.4918.60
FCF yield3.60%5.32%

Profitability

MetricDELLIBM
Gross margin19.16%58.97%
Operating margin7.98%16.36%
Net margin6.28%15.61%
ROE-240.32%32.61%
ROIC15.00%8.57%

Dividends

MetricDELLIBM
Dividend yield0.63%2.62%
Payout ratio28.13%59.51%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDELLIBM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.14%-0.09%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.44%12.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-5.14%-3.35%
Total return CAGR (5Y)54.14%18.56%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DELL or IBM?
It depends on your goal. value: IBM (lower P/E); growth: DELL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IBM (higher dividend yield); quality: DELL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IBM leads 10 to 6.
Is DELL or IBM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, IBM is cheaper: DELL trades at a 31.73 P/E and IBM at 22.84.
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 -0.09%.
Does DELL or IBM pay a bigger dividend?
DELL yields 0.63% and IBM yields 2.62% 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 15.61%.
Which has been the better investment, DELL or IBM?
Over the past 5-year, DELL delivered the higher annualized total return — DELL at 54.14% versus IBM at 11.35%. 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 27, 2026.