IBM vs. KEYS

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) and KEYS (Keysight Technologies, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — IBM in Information Technology Services, KEYS in Scientific & Technical Instruments. Over the past 10 years, IBM returned 7.64%/yr vs 26.53%/yr for KEYS. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

IBM vs. KEYS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBM achieves a -27.15% return, which is significantly lower than KEYS's 54.60% return. Over the past 10 years, IBM has underperformed KEYS with an annualized return of 7.64%, while KEYS has yielded a comparatively higher 26.53% annualized return.

IBM

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -14.49%
• 6M: -29.40%
• YTD: -27.15%
• 1Y: -23.58%
• 3Y*: 19.09%
• 5Y*: 13.91%
• 10Y*: 7.64%
• ALL TIME*: 7.00%

KEYS

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: -13.62%
• 6M: 46.65%
• YTD: 54.60%
• 1Y: 93.37%
• 3Y*: 23.12%
• 5Y*: 14.67%
• 10Y*: 26.53%
• ALL TIME*: 22.00%

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

IBM vs. KEYS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IBM International Business Machines Corporation	-27.15%	38.23%	39.27%	21.85%	10.64%	16.65%	-1.16%	23.58%	-22.56%	-3.99%
KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc.	54.60%	26.50%	0.97%	-7.00%	-17.16%	56.34%	28.71%	65.32%	49.23%	13.75%

Correlation

The correlation between IBM and KEYS is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2014	0.37

Over the past year, the correlation between IBM and KEYS has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.37, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Fundamentals

Market Cap IBM : $200.20B KEYS : $53.68B
EPS IBM : $11.31 KEYS : $6.07
PE Ratio IBM : 18.84 KEYS : 51.76
PEG Ratio IBM : 0.23 KEYS : 9.15
PS Ratio IBM : 2.94 KEYS : 12.43
PB Ratio IBM : 6.15 KEYS : 8.58
Total Revenue (TTM) IBM : $68.91B KEYS : $4.37B
Gross Profit (TTM) IBM : $40.64B KEYS : $2.70B
EBITDA (TTM) IBM : $15.71B KEYS : $997.00M

Return for Risk

IBM vs. KEYS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBM

IBM Risk / Return Rank: 19
IBM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
IBM Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IBM Omega Ratio Rank: 23
IBM Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
IBM Martin Ratio Rank: 5

KEYS

KEYS Risk / Return Rank: 94
KEYS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
KEYS Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
KEYS Omega Ratio Rank: 92
KEYS Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
KEYS Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

IBM vs. KEYS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IBM	KEYS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.49	2.23	-2.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.38	3.05	-3.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.41	-0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.66	5.46	-6.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.53	16.48	-18.01

IBM vs. KEYS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBM Sharpe Ratio is -0.49, which is lower than the KEYS Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBM and KEYS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IBM vs. KEYS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBM drawdown since its inception was -69.40%, which is greater than KEYS's maximum drawdown of -45.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBM and KEYS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBM	KEYS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.40%	-45.54%	-23.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.85%	-17.20%	-18.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.85%	-31.38%	-4.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.85%	-42.62%	+6.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.59%	-42.62%	+2.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.30%	-15.86%	-19.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.12%	-13.93%	-6.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.44%	5.69%	+9.75%

Volatility

IBM vs. KEYS - Volatility Comparison

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) has a higher volatility of 32.02% compared to Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) at 16.45%. This indicates that IBM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than KEYS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBM	KEYS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.02%	16.45%	+15.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.34%	35.24%	+11.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.36%	42.27%	+6.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.86%	33.63%	-3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.97%	32.51%	-4.54%

Dividends

IBM vs. KEYS - Dividend Comparison

IBM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%, while KEYS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBM International Business Machines Corporation	3.16%	2.27%	3.03%	4.05%	4.68%	4.74%	5.17%	4.80%	5.46%	3.85%	3.31%	3.63%
KEYS Keysight Technologies, 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%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBM and KEYS in my portfolio?

IBM and KEYS have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBM or KEYS?

IBM has higher volatility (32.02%) compared to KEYS (16.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBM dropped -69.40% vs KEYS's -45.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KEYS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs -0.49), 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.