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Industry Comparison: Evaluating Apple Against Competitors In Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Benzinga·10/21/2026 10:00:04

In today's rapidly changing and fiercely competitive business landscape, it is vital for investors and industry enthusiasts to carefully evaluate companies. In this article, we will perform a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) against its key competitors in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. By analyzing important financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, we aim 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 38.93 46.08 10.75 27.84% $39.02 $54.77 16.36%
SanDisk Corp 18.51 12.54 10.45 46.78% $7.89 $7.58 371.59%
Seagate Technology Holdings PLC 48.57 70.84 12.68 79.34% $1.64 $1.9 48.49%
Western Digital Corp 13.53 15.39 10.80 34.3% $3.36 $2.03 43.84%
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co 28.91 2.81 1.89 5.83% $2.33 $4.9 33.68%
Everpure Inc 173.32 27.36 10.29 4.97% $0.11 $0.81 37.73%
NetApp Inc 29.66 27.59 5.69 26.35% $0.55 $1.42 29.89%
Super Micro Computer Inc 9.96 2.08 0.58 12.83% $1.57 $1.94 93.16%
Logitech International SA 20.05 6.65 3.27 10.33% $0.28 $0.61 6.93%
Diebold Nixdorf Inc 22.46 2.38 0.63 1.56% $0.09 $0.24 1.7%
Corsair Gaming Inc 42.52 2.14 0.98 1.04% $0.02 $0.1 -1.8%
Immersion Corp 21.04 0.79 0.14 1.93% $0.01 $0.06 0.81%
Average 38.96 15.51 5.22 20.48% $1.62 $1.96 60.55%

By conducting a comprehensive analysis of Apple, the following trends become evident:

  • A Price to Earnings ratio of 38.93 significantly below the industry average by 1.0x suggests undervaluation. This can make the stock appealing for those seeking growth.

  • It could be trading at a premium in relation to its book value, as indicated by its Price to Book ratio of 46.08 which exceeds the industry average by 2.97x.

  • The stock's relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 10.75, surpassing the industry average by 2.06x, may indicate an aspect of overvaluation in terms of sales performance.

  • The company has a higher Return on Equity (ROE) of 27.84%, which is 7.36% above the industry average. This suggests efficient use of equity to generate profits and demonstrates profitability and growth potential.

  • The company exhibits higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $39.02 Billion, which is 24.09x above the industry average, implying stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.

  • Compared to its industry, the company has higher gross profit of $54.77 Billion, which indicates 27.94x above the industry average, indicating 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 60.55%. 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 provides insights into the proportion of debt a company has in relation to its equity and asset value.

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:

  • When comparing the debt-to-equity ratio, Apple is in a stronger financial position compared to its top 4 peers.

  • The company has a lower level of debt relative to its equity, indicating a more favorable balance between the two with a lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78.

Key Takeaways

For Apple in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, the PE ratio is low compared to peers, indicating potential undervaluation. The high PB and PS ratios suggest that the market values the company's assets and sales highly. In terms of ROE, EBITDA, and gross profit, Apple performs well above industry averages, reflecting strong profitability and operational efficiency. However, the low revenue growth rate may raise concerns about the company's ability to expand its market share in the future.

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