Amidst today's fast-paced and highly competitive business environment, it is crucial for investors and industry enthusiasts to conduct comprehensive company evaluations. In this article, we will delve into an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) in comparison to its major competitors within the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. By analyzing critical financial metrics, market position, and growth potential, our objective is to provide valuable insights for investors and offer a deeper understanding of company's performance in the industry.
Apple Background
Apple is among the largest companies in the world, with a broad portfolio of hardware and software products targeted at consumers and businesses. Apple's iPhone accounts for the majority of the firm's sales, and Apple's other products, such as the Mac, iPad, and Watch, are designed around the iPhone as the focal point of an expansive software ecosystem. Apple has progressively worked to add new applications, such as streaming video, subscription bundles, and augmented reality. The firm designs its own software and semiconductors and works with subcontractors such as Foxconn and TSMC to build its products and chips. Slightly less than half of Apple's sales come directly through its flagship stores, with the majority coming indirectly through partnerships and distribution.
| Company | P/E | P/B | P/S | ROE | EBITDA (in billions) | Gross Profit (in billions) | Revenue Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Inc | 38 | 44.97 | 10.49 | 27.84% | $39.02 | $54.77 | 16.36% |
| SanDisk Corp | 20.76 | 14.24 | 11.72 | 46.78% | $7.89 | $7.58 | 371.59% |
| Seagate Technology Holdings PLC | 55.52 | 80.99 | 14.49 | 79.34% | $1.64 | $1.9 | 48.49% |
| Western Digital Corp | 15.30 | 16.76 | 12.21 | 34.3% | $3.36 | $2.03 | 43.84% |
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co | 28.80 | 2.80 | 1.89 | 5.83% | $2.33 | $4.9 | 33.68% |
| NetApp Inc | 26.83 | 24.95 | 5.15 | 26.35% | $0.55 | $1.42 | 29.89% |
| Everpure Inc | 132.84 | 20.97 | 7.89 | 4.97% | $0.11 | $0.81 | 37.73% |
| Super Micro Computer Inc | 10.93 | 2.28 | 0.64 | 12.83% | $1.57 | $1.94 | 93.16% |
| Logitech International SA | 18.56 | 6.16 | 3.03 | 10.33% | $0.28 | $0.61 | 6.93% |
| Diebold Nixdorf Inc | 21.26 | 2.25 | 0.60 | 1.56% | $0.09 | $0.24 | 1.7% |
| Corsair Gaming Inc | 43.05 | 2.17 | 0.99 | 1.04% | $0.02 | $0.1 | -1.8% |
| Immersion Corp | 21.03 | 0.79 | 0.14 | 1.93% | $0.01 | $0.06 | 0.81% |
| Average | 35.9 | 15.85 | 5.34 | 20.48% | $1.62 | $1.96 | 60.55% |
By analyzing Apple, we can infer the following trends:
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At 38.0, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio significantly exceeds the industry average by 1.06x, suggesting a premium valuation relative to industry peers.
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With a Price to Book ratio of 44.97, which is 2.84x the industry average, Apple might be considered overvalued in terms of its book value, as it is trading at a higher multiple compared to its industry peers.
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The Price to Sales ratio of 10.49, which is 1.96x the industry average, suggests the stock could potentially be overvalued in relation to its sales performance compared to its peers.
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With a Return on Equity (ROE) of 27.84% that is 7.36% above the industry average, it appears that the company exhibits efficient use of equity to generate profits.
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The company has higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $39.02 Billion, which is 24.09x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
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With higher gross profit of $54.77 Billion, which indicates 27.94x above the industry average, the company demonstrates stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
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The company's revenue growth of 16.36% is significantly lower compared to the industry average of 60.55%. This indicates a potential fall in the company's sales performance.
Debt To Equity Ratio

The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio is an important measure to assess the financial structure and risk profile of a company.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
By analyzing Apple in relation to its top 4 peers based on the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following insights can be derived:
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Apple has a stronger financial position compared to its top 4 peers, as evidenced by its lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78.
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This suggests that the company has a more favorable balance between debt and equity, which can be perceived as a positive indicator by investors.
Key Takeaways
For Apple, the PE, PB, and PS ratios are all high compared to its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating potentially overvalued stock. On the other hand, Apple's high ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and low revenue growth suggest strong operational efficiency and profitability relative to its industry counterparts.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.
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