In the ever-changing and fiercely competitive business landscape, conducting thorough company analysis is crucial for investors and industry experts. In this article, we will undertake a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and its primary competitors in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. By closely examining key financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, our aim is to provide valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within 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 37.29 44.13 10.29 27.84% $39.02 $54.77 16.36%
SanDisk Corp 20.84 14.30 11.76 46.78% $7.89 $7.58 371.59%
Seagate Technology Holdings PLC 58.75 85.41 15.33 79.34% $1.64 $1.9 48.49%
Western Digital Corp 16.73 18.32 13.35 34.3% $3.36 $2.03 43.84%
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co 47.54 2.66 1.76 2.38% $1.7 $3.9 40.0%
NetApp Inc 28.84 26.60 5.32 32.2% $0.59 $1.36 12.47%
Everpure Inc 128.47 20.23 7.63 4.97% $0.07 $0.72 12.63%
Super Micro Computer Inc 11.26 2.35 0.66 12.83% $1.57 $1.94 93.16%
Logitech International SA 17.99 5.97 2.93 10.33% $0.28 $0.61 6.93%
Diebold Nixdorf Inc 22.07 2.33 0.62 1.56% $0.09 $0.24 1.7%
Corsair Gaming Inc 37.45 1.89 0.86 1.04% $0.02 $0.1 -1.8%
Immersion Corp 52.86 0.83 0.14 1.26% $0.02 $1.36 -5.22%
Average 40.25 16.44 5.49 20.64% $1.57 $1.98 56.71%

After thoroughly examining Apple, the following trends can be inferred:

  • The Price to Earnings ratio of 37.29 is 0.93x lower than the industry average, indicating potential undervaluation for the stock.

  • With a Price to Book ratio of 44.13, which is 2.68x 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.

  • The Price to Sales ratio of 10.29, which is 1.87x the industry average, suggests the stock could potentially be overvalued in relation to its sales performance compared to its peers.

  • With a Return on Equity (ROE) of 27.84% that is 7.2% above the industry average, it appears that the company exhibits efficient use of equity to generate profits.

  • Compared to its industry, the company has higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $39.02 Billion, which is 24.85x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.

  • With higher gross profit of $54.77 Billion, which indicates 27.66x above the industry average, the company demonstrates stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.

  • The company's revenue growth of 16.36% is significantly lower compared to the industry average of 56.71%. This indicates a potential fall in the company's sales performance.

Debt To Equity Ratio

debt to equity

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 comparing Apple with its top 4 peers based on the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following insights can be observed:

  • Apple is in a relatively stronger financial position compared to its top 4 peers, as evidenced by its lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78.

  • This implies that the company relies less on debt financing and has a more favorable balance between debt and equity.

Key Takeaways

For Apple in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, the PE ratio is low compared to peers, indicating potential undervaluation. However, the PB and PS ratios are high, suggesting overvaluation relative to industry standards. In terms of ROE, EBITDA, and gross profit, Apple demonstrates strong performance with high figures, reflecting efficient operations and profitability. Despite this, the low revenue growth rate may raise concerns about the company's ability to sustain long-term competitiveness in the industry.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.