International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) vs Western Digital Corporation (WDC)

A side-by-side comparison of International Business Machines Corporation and Western Digital Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 31, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnIBM vs WDC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
IBM +1699.0%WDC +6391.5%WDC compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,799$6,492
IBM WDC

IBM vs WDC: by the numbers

  • IBM is the larger company ($210.71B vs $187.80B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.79 vs 31.90 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • WDC converts more revenue to profit (55.07% vs 15.52% net margin).
  • IBM grew revenue faster over the past five years (1.13% vs -6.28% CAGR).
  • IBM pays the higher dividend yield (3.01% vs 0.09%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricIBMWDC
P/E ratio19.7931.90
Forward P/E18.1654.52
P/S ratio3.0817.39
P/B ratio6.1821.16
PEG ratio0.352.47
EV / EBITDA16.7451.30
FCF yield6.84%1.42%

Profitability

MetricIBMWDC
Gross margin58.43%45.43%
Operating margin17.86%30.78%
Net margin15.52%55.07%
ROE31.13%67.00%
ROIC10.37%21.53%

Dividends

MetricIBMWDC
Dividend yield3.01%0.09%
Payout ratio59.24%9.42%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIBMWDC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)1.13%-6.28%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.59%12.92%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-5.01%78.08%
Total return CAGR (5Y)15.10%61.96%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, IBM or WDC?
IBM has the lower trailing P/E: IBM trades at 19.79 and WDC at 31.90. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, IBM or WDC?
Over the past five years, IBM grew revenue faster — IBM at a 1.13% CAGR versus WDC at -6.28%.
Does IBM or WDC pay a bigger dividend?
IBM yields 3.01% and WDC yields 0.09% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is IBM or WDC more profitable?
WDC runs the higher net margin — IBM at 15.52% versus WDC at 55.07%.
How have IBM and WDC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, IBM delivered 8.27% and WDC delivered 32.94% 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 31, 2026.