International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
A side-by-side comparison of International Business Machines Corporation and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation
$232.40TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 8, 2026, 3:15 PM EDT
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$173.39TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 8, 2026, 3:15 PM EDT
Total return — IBM vs QCOM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yIBM +135.7% (+9.0%/yr)QCOM +250.2% (+13.4%/yr)QCOM compounded faster over this window
IBM QCOM
IBM vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •IBM is the larger company ($218.95B vs $182.06B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.26 vs 20.79 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •QCOM converts more revenue to profit (21.01% vs 15.52% net margin).
- •QCOM grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.23% vs 1.13% CAGR).
- •IBM pays the higher dividend yield (2.87% vs 2.15%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | IBM | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.79 | 19.26 |
| Forward P/E | 19.08 | 16.01 |
| P/S ratio | 3.24 | 4.09 |
| P/B ratio | 6.50 | 6.52 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.07 | 16.21 |
| FCF yield | 6.09% | 5.77% |
Profitability
| Metric | IBM | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 58.43% | 54.23% |
| Operating margin | 17.86% | 23.19% |
| Net margin | 15.52% | 21.01% |
| ROE | 31.13% | 33.48% |
| ROIC | 10.12% | 17.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | IBM | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.87% | 2.15% |
| Payout ratio | 59.65% | 41.32% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IBM | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 1.13% | 6.23% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 12.59% | 2.02% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -1.28% | 2.09% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.36% | 5.40% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, IBM or QCOM?
- QCOM has the lower trailing P/E: IBM trades at 20.79 and QCOM at 19.26. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, IBM or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, QCOM grew revenue faster — IBM at a 1.13% CAGR versus QCOM at 6.23%.
- Does IBM or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- IBM yields 2.87% and QCOM yields 2.15% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is IBM or QCOM more profitable?
- QCOM runs the higher net margin — IBM at 15.52% versus QCOM at 21.01%.
- How have IBM and QCOM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, IBM delivered 8.86% and QCOM delivered 13.30% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
International Business Machines P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioInternational Business Machines dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldInternational Business Machines ROEQUALCOMM ROEInternational Business Machines operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginInternational Business Machines revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthInternational Business Machines free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
International Business Machines & QUALCOMM appear in these rankings
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 September 8, 2026.