<div id="readability-page-1"><div>In the dynamic and fiercely competitive business environment, conducting a thorough analysis of companies is crucial for investors and industry enthusiasts. In this article, we will perform an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Apple AAPL in relation to its major competitors in the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry. By closely examining crucial financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, we aim to offer valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.<h3>Apple Background</h3>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 makes up a majority of the firm sales, and Apple's other products like 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, like streaming video, subscription bundles, and augmented reality. The firm designs its own software and semiconductors while working with subcontractors like Foxconn and TSMC to build its products and chips. Slightly less than half of Apple's sales come directly through its flagship stores, with a majority of sales coming indirectly through partnerships and distribution.<table><thead><tr><th>Company</th><th>P/E</th><th>P/B</th><th>P/S</th><th>ROE</th><th>EBITDA (in billions)</th><th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th><th>Revenue Growth</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Apple Inc</td><td>32.25</td><td>45.72</td><td>7.86</td><td>58.74%</td><td>$45.91</td><td>$58.27</td><td>3.95%</td></tr><tr><td>Super Micro Computer Inc</td><td>14.05</td><td>3.07</td><td>0.98</td><td>5.29%</td><td>$0.4</td><td>$0.67</td><td>54.93%</td></tr><tr><td>Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co</td><td>6.58</td><td>0.71</td><td>0.60</td><td>2.39%</td><td>$1.11</td><td>$2.29</td><td>16.27%</td></tr><tr><td>NetApp Inc</td><td>15.11</td><td>16.93</td><td>2.64</td><td>31.69%</td><td>$0.45</td><td>$1.15</td><td>2.18%</td></tr><tr><td>Pure Storage Inc</td><td>131.77</td><td>10.19</td><td>4.42</td><td>3.12%</td><td>$0.09</td><td>$0.59</td><td>11.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Western Digital Corp</td><td>9.86</td><td>0.98</td><td>0.75</td><td>4.89%</td><td>$0.96</td><td>$1.52</td><td>41.33%</td></tr><tr><td>Eastman Kodak Co</td><td>6.26</td><td>0.71</td><td>0.50</td><td>2.46%</td><td>$0.05</td><td>$0.05</td><td>-3.27%</td></tr><tr><td>Turtle Beach Corp</td><td>15.67</td><td>2.02</td><td>0.68</td><td>18.11%</td><td>$0.03</td><td>$0.05</td><td>46.76%</td></tr><tr><td>AstroNova Inc</td><td>17.73</td><td>0.74</td><td>0.45</td><td>0.26%</td><td>$0.0</td><td>$0.01</td><td>7.65%</td></tr><tr><td>Average</td><td>27.13</td><td>4.42</td><td>1.38</td><td>8.53%</td><td>$0.39</td><td>$0.79</td><td>22.16%</td></tr></tbody></table>By thoroughly analyzing Apple, we can discern the following trends: <ul><li>Notably, the current Price to Earnings ratio for this stock, 32.25, is 1.19x above the industry norm, reflecting a higher valuation relative to the industry.</li><li>With a Price to Book ratio of 45.72, which is 10.34x 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.</li><li>The Price to Sales ratio of 7.86, which is 5.7x the industry average, suggests the stock could potentially be overvalued in relation to its sales performance compared to its peers.</li><li>With a Return on Equity (ROE) of 58.74% that is 50.21% above the industry average, it appears that the company exhibits efficient use of equity to generate profits.</li><li>The company has higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $45.91 Billion, which is 117.72x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.</li><li>The company has higher gross profit of $58.27 Billion, which indicates 73.76x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.</li><li>The company is witnessing a substantial decline in revenue growth, with a rate of 3.95% compared to the industry average of 22.16%, which indicates a challenging sales environment.</li></ul><h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743778852_0.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="500" height="400" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743778852_0.png"/>The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio helps evaluate the capital structure and financial leverage 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.In terms of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, Apple stands in comparison with its top 4 peers, leading to the following comparisons:<ul><li>Compared to its top 4 peers, Apple has a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, indicating a balanced financial structure.</li><li>This suggests that the company maintains a reasonable level of debt while also leveraging equity financing.</li></ul><h3>Key Takeaways</h3>For Apple in the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry, the PE, PB, and PS ratios are all high compared to its peers, indicating that the stock may be overvalued. On the other hand, Apple's high ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and low revenue growth suggest strong profitability and operational efficiency relative to its industry competitors.This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</div></div>

AAPL

The article evaluates Apple Inc. against competitors in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. It highlights Apple's strong financial metrics, including a high Price to Earnings ratio (32.25) and Return on Equity (58.74%), indicating efficient profit generation. However, Apple's revenue growth is declining at 3.95%, below the industry average of 22.16%. The analysis suggests that while Apple shows strong profitability, its stock may be overvalued compared to peers, with high Price to Book and Price to Sales ratios. The company's moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45 indicates a balanced financial structure.

- This article conducts a comparative analysis of Apple Inc. within the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, focusing on financial metrics and market position.  
- It highlights that Apple's high Price to Earnings, Price to Book, and Price to Sales ratios suggest potential overvaluation, while its strong Return on Equity and EBITDA indicate robust profitability.  
- Additionally, the article notes a decline in revenue growth for Apple, contrasting with the industry average, and presents a moderate debt-to-equity ratio reflecting a balanced financial structure.

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