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

IBM leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

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 June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — IBM vs WDC

growth of $100 · last 30y
IBM +1012.1%WDC +6311.4%WDC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,112$6,411
IBM WDC

IBM vs WDC: by the numbers

  • IBM is the larger company ($255.87B vs $194.03B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.07 vs 32.96 P/E).
  • WDC converts more revenue to profit (55.07% vs 15.61% net margin).
  • IBM grew revenue faster over the past five years (-0.09% vs -6.28% CAGR).
  • IBM pays the higher dividend yield (2.47% vs 0.09%).

Which is better, IBM or WDC?

Metric tally: IBM 10 · WDC 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricIBMWDC
P/E ratio24.0732.96
Forward P/E20.3331.96
P/S ratio3.7617.97
P/B ratio7.8621.87
PEG ratio0.352.55
EV / EBITDA19.4928.04
FCF yield5.05%1.37%

Profitability

MetricIBMWDC
Gross margin58.97%45.43%
Operating margin16.36%30.78%
Net margin15.61%55.07%
ROE32.61%67.00%
ROIC8.57%21.53%

Dividends

MetricIBMWDC
Dividend yield2.47%0.09%
Payout ratio59.24%9.42%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIBMWDC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.09%-6.28%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.59%12.92%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-3.35%78.08%
Total return CAGR (5Y)18.04%58.48%

Frequently asked

Which is better, IBM or WDC?
It depends on your goal. value: IBM (lower P/E); growth: IBM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IBM (higher dividend yield); quality: WDC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IBM leads 10 to 7.
Is IBM or WDC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, IBM is cheaper: IBM trades at a 24.07 P/E and WDC at 32.96.
Which has grown faster, IBM or WDC?
Over the past five years, IBM grew revenue faster — IBM at a -0.09% CAGR versus WDC at -6.28%.
Does IBM or WDC pay a bigger dividend?
IBM yields 2.47% 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 15.61% versus WDC at 55.07%.
Which has been the better investment, IBM or WDC?
Over the past 10-year, WDC delivered the higher annualized total return — IBM at 11.01% versus WDC at 33.71%. 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 15, 2026.