In today's fast-paced and highly competitive business world, it is crucial for investors and industry followers to conduct comprehensive company evaluations. In this article, we will delve into an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) in relation to its major competitors in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. By closely examining key financial metrics, market standing, and growth prospects, our objective is to provide valuable insights and highlight 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 | 35.95 | 42.55 | 9.92 | 27.84% | $39.02 | $54.77 | 16.36% |
| SanDisk Corp | 20.33 | 13.95 | 11.48 | 46.78% | $7.89 | $7.58 | 371.59% |
| Seagate Technology Holdings PLC | 60.89 | 88.52 | 15.89 | 79.34% | $1.64 | $1.9 | 48.49% |
| Western Digital Corp | 17.42 | 19.07 | 13.90 | 34.3% | $3.36 | $2.03 | 43.84% |
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co | 51.62 | 2.89 | 1.91 | 2.38% | $1.7 | $3.9 | 40.0% |
| NetApp Inc | 30.53 | 28.16 | 5.63 | 32.2% | $0.59 | $1.36 | 12.47% |
| Everpure Inc | 149.18 | 23.49 | 8.86 | 1.67% | $0.07 | $0.72 | 35.25% |
| Super Micro Computer Inc | 11.47 | 2.36 | 0.67 | 13.07% | $0.7 | $1.02 | 8.56% |
| Logitech International SA | 18.38 | 6.10 | 3 | 10.33% | $0.28 | $0.61 | 6.93% |
| Diebold Nixdorf Inc | 22.44 | 2.37 | 0.63 | 1.56% | $0.09 | $0.24 | 1.7% |
| Corsair Gaming Inc | 38.19 | 1.93 | 0.88 | 1.04% | $0.02 | $0.1 | -1.8% |
| Immersion Corp | 55 | 0.86 | 0.15 | 1.26% | $0.02 | $1.36 | -5.22% |
| Average | 43.22 | 17.25 | 5.73 | 20.36% | $1.49 | $1.89 | 51.07% |
By conducting a comprehensive analysis of Apple, the following trends become evident:
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The Price to Earnings ratio of 35.95 is 0.83x lower than the industry average, indicating potential undervaluation for the stock.
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With a Price to Book ratio of 42.55, which is 2.47x 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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With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 9.92, which is 1.73x the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
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The Return on Equity (ROE) of 27.84% is 7.48% above the industry average, highlighting efficient use of equity to generate profits.
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The company exhibits higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $39.02 Billion, which is 26.19x above the industry average, implying stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
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With higher gross profit of $54.77 Billion, which indicates 28.98x above the industry average, the company demonstrates stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
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The company is witnessing a substantial decline in revenue growth, with a rate of 16.36% compared to the industry average of 51.07%, which indicates a challenging sales environment.
Debt To Equity Ratio

The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio indicates the proportion of debt and equity used by a company to finance its assets and operations.
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.
When assessing Apple against its top 4 peers using the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following comparisons can be made:
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Compared to its top 4 peers, Apple has a stronger financial position indicated by its lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78.
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This suggests that the company relies less on debt financing and has a more favorable balance between debt and equity, which can be seen as a positive attribute by investors.
Key Takeaways
For Apple in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, the PE ratio is low compared to peers, indicating potential undervaluation. The PB and PS ratios are high, suggesting overvaluation relative to industry standards. In terms of ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and revenue growth, Apple demonstrates strong performance compared to its industry peers, reflecting favorable financial health and operational efficiency.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.
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