ADBE vs. IBM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ADBE (Adobe Inc) and IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — ADBE in Software - Infrastructure, IBM in Information Technology Services. Over the past 10 years, ADBE returned 10.01%/yr vs 12.25%/yr for IBM. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ADBE vs. IBM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Adobe Inc (ADBE) and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ADBE achieves a -26.79% return, which is significantly lower than IBM's 4.53% return. Over the past 10 years, ADBE has underperformed IBM with an annualized return of 10.01%, while IBM has yielded a comparatively higher 12.25% annualized return.

ADBE

• 1D: -2.24%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: -26.79%
• 6M: -21.59%
• 1Y: -37.88%
• 3Y*: -16.26%
• 5Y*: -12.67%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

IBM

• 1D: -7.17%
• 1M: 34.16%
• YTD: 4.53%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 18.19%
• 3Y*: 36.49%
• 5Y*: 21.40%
• 10Y*: 12.25%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ADBE vs. IBM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ADBE Adobe Inc	-26.79%	-21.29%	-25.46%	77.28%	-40.65%	13.38%	51.64%	45.78%	29.10%	70.22%
IBM International Business Machines Corporation	4.53%	38.23%	39.27%	21.85%	10.64%	16.65%	-1.16%	23.58%	-22.56%	-3.99%

Correlation

The correlation between ADBE and IBM is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 1986	0.35

Fundamentals

Market Cap ADBE : $105.31B IBM : $290.99B
EPS ADBE : $17.19 IBM : $11.32
PE Ratio ADBE : 14.91 IBM : 27.00
PEG Ratio ADBE : 1.05 IBM : 0.32
PS Ratio ADBE : 4.39 IBM : 4.21
PB Ratio ADBE : 9.21 IBM : 8.82
Total Revenue (TTM) ADBE : $24.45B IBM : $68.91B
Gross Profit (TTM) ADBE : $21.82B IBM : $40.64B
EBITDA (TTM) ADBE : $9.71B IBM : $15.71B

Return for Risk

ADBE vs. IBM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ADBE

ADBE Risk / Return Rank: 6
ADBE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
ADBE Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
ADBE Omega Ratio Rank: 6
ADBE Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
ADBE Martin Ratio Rank: 7

IBM

IBM Risk / Return Rank: 53
IBM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
IBM Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
IBM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IBM Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IBM Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ADBE vs. IBM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Adobe Inc (ADBE) and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ADBE	IBM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.13	0.47	-1.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.63	0.91	-2.54
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	1.13	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.83	0.59	-1.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.41	1.29	-2.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ADBE vs. IBM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADBE Sharpe Ratio is -1.13, which is lower than the IBM Sharpe Ratio of 0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADBE and IBM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ADBE	IBM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.13	0.47	-1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.35	0.80	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.46	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.30	+0.11

Drawdowns

ADBE vs. IBM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADBE drawdown since its inception was -79.89%, which is greater than IBM's maximum drawdown of -69.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADBE and IBM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADBE	IBM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.89%	-69.40%	-10.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-45.95%	-30.96%	-14.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-64.50%	-30.96%	-33.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.26%	-30.96%	-36.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-67.26%	-40.59%	-26.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-62.78%	-7.17%	-55.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.97%	-20.12%	-5.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.83%	14.16%	+12.67%

Volatility

ADBE vs. IBM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Adobe Inc (ADBE) is 13.95%, while International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) has a volatility of 20.58%. This indicates that ADBE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ADBE	IBM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.95%	20.58%	-6.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.02%	34.08%	-6.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.69%	38.99%	-5.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.32%	27.03%	+9.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.33%	26.51%	+7.82%

Dividends

ADBE vs. IBM - Dividend Comparison

ADBE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IBM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.20%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADBE Adobe Inc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IBM International Business Machines Corporation	2.20%	2.27%	3.03%	4.05%	4.68%	4.74%	5.17%	4.80%	5.46%	3.85%	3.31%	3.63%

Financials

ADBE vs. IBM - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Adobe Inc and International Business Machines Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

ADBE - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Adobe Inc reported a gross profit of 5.73B and revenue of 6.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 89.6%.

IBM - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Business Machines Corporation reported a gross profit of 8.95B and revenue of 15.92B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 56.2%.

ADBE - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Adobe Inc reported an operating income of 2.42B and revenue of 6.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 37.8%.

IBM - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Business Machines Corporation reported an operating income of 1.22B and revenue of 15.92B, resulting in an operating margin of 7.6%.

ADBE - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Adobe Inc reported a net income of 1.89B and revenue of 6.40B, resulting in a net margin of 29.5%.

IBM - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Business Machines Corporation reported a net income of 1.22B and revenue of 15.92B, resulting in a net margin of 7.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADBE and IBM in my portfolio?

ADBE and IBM have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADBE or IBM?

IBM has higher volatility (20.58%) compared to ADBE (13.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADBE dropped -79.89% vs IBM's -69.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.47 vs -1.13), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.