International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) vs Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX)

A side-by-side comparison of International Business Machines Corporation and Seagate Technology Holdings plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnIBM vs STX

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 24y
IBM +452.3%STX +14074.5%STX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200620102014201820222026$552$14,174
IBM STX

IBM vs STX: by the numbers

  • IBM is the larger company ($214.45B vs $173.76B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.14 vs 53.84 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • STX converts more revenue to profit (26.11% vs 15.52% net margin).
  • STX grew revenue faster over the past five years (2.68% vs 1.13% CAGR).
  • IBM pays the higher dividend yield (2.96% vs 0.39%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricIBMSTX
P/E ratio20.1453.84
Forward P/E18.4550.13
P/S ratio3.1414.22
P/B ratio6.2980.01
PEG ratio0.350.51
EV / EBITDA16.9739.97
FCF yield6.73%1.54%

Profitability

MetricIBMSTX
Gross margin58.43%45.58%
Operating margin17.86%33.57%
Net margin15.52%26.11%
ROE31.13%146.93%
ROIC10.37%0.00%

Dividends

MetricIBMSTX
Dividend yield2.96%0.39%
Payout ratio59.24%20.22%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIBMSTX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)1.13%2.68%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.59%21.76%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-5.01%20.22%
Total return CAGR (5Y)15.38%58.55%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, IBM or STX?
IBM has the lower trailing P/E: IBM trades at 20.14 and STX at 53.84. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, IBM or STX?
Over the past five years, STX grew revenue faster — IBM at a 1.13% CAGR versus STX at 2.68%.
Does IBM or STX pay a bigger dividend?
IBM yields 2.96% and STX yields 0.39% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is IBM or STX more profitable?
STX runs the higher net margin — IBM at 15.52% versus STX at 26.11%.
How have IBM and STX total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, IBM delivered 8.42% and STX delivered 42.59% 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 July 29, 2026.