International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) vs Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR)

IBM leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of International Business Machines Corporation and Palantir Technologies Inc. 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).

Total return — IBM vs PLTR

growth of $100 · last 6y
IBM +134.0%PLTR +1247.3%PLTR compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100202120222023202420252026$234$1,347
IBM PLTR

IBM vs PLTR: by the numbers

  • PLTR is the larger company ($293.87B vs $255.87B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.07 vs 142.21 P/E).
  • PLTR converts more revenue to profit (43.67% vs 15.61% net margin).
  • PLTR grew revenue faster over the past five years (34.11% vs -0.09% CAGR).
  • IBM pays a dividend (2.47% yield) while PLTR does not currently pay one.

Which is better, IBM or PLTR?

Metric tally: IBM 8 · PLTR 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueIBM(lower P/E)
GrowthPLTR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPLTR(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricIBMPLTR
P/E ratio24.07142.21
Forward P/E20.3361.52
P/S ratio3.7662.99
P/B ratio7.8638.94
PEG ratio0.351.13
EV / EBITDA19.54139.60
FCF yield5.05%0.82%

Profitability

MetricIBMPLTR
Gross margin58.97%84.07%
Operating margin16.36%38.13%
Net margin15.61%43.67%
ROE32.61%27.00%
ROIC8.57%17.95%

Dividends

MetricIBMPLTR
Dividend yield2.47%
Payout ratio59.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIBMPLTR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.09%34.11%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-3.35%94.15%
Total return CAGR (5Y)18.04%38.98%

Frequently asked

Which is better, IBM or PLTR?
It depends on your goal. value: IBM (lower P/E); growth: PLTR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PLTR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IBM leads 8 to 7.
Is IBM or PLTR cheaper?
On trailing earnings, IBM is cheaper: IBM trades at a 24.07 P/E and PLTR at 142.21.
Which has grown faster, IBM or PLTR?
Over the past five years, PLTR grew revenue faster — IBM at a -0.09% CAGR versus PLTR at 34.11%.
Does IBM or PLTR pay a bigger dividend?
IBM pays a dividend (2.47% yield) while PLTR does not currently pay one.
Is IBM or PLTR more profitable?
PLTR runs the higher net margin — IBM at 15.61% versus PLTR at 43.67%.
Which has been the better investment, IBM or PLTR?
Over the past 5-year, PLTR delivered the higher annualized total return — IBM at 11.01% versus PLTR at 38.98%. 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 13, 2026.