ZBRA vs. IBM
ZBRA (Zebra Technologies Corporation) and IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — ZBRA in Communication Equipment, IBM in Information Technology Services. Over the past 10 years, ZBRA returned 15.25%/yr vs 11.09%/yr for IBM. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
ZBRA vs. IBM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ZBRA achieves a -5.93% return, which is significantly higher than IBM's -6.89% return. Over the past 10 years, ZBRA has outperformed IBM with an annualized return of 15.25%, while IBM has yielded a comparatively lower 11.09% annualized return.
ZBRA
- 1D
- 2.69%
- 1M
- -7.43%
- YTD
- -5.93%
- 6M
- -14.89%
- 1Y
- -21.96%
- 3Y*
- -6.94%
- 5Y*
- -14.79%
- 10Y*
- 15.25%
IBM
- 1D
- -0.95%
- 1M
- 26.84%
- YTD
- -6.89%
- 6M
- -10.81%
- 1Y
- -0.65%
- 3Y*
- 29.65%
- 5Y*
- 18.01%
- 10Y*
- 11.09%
ZBRA vs. IBM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZBRA Zebra Technologies Corporation | -5.93% | -37.13% | 41.30% | 6.60% | -56.92% | 54.87% | 50.46% | 60.42% | 53.40% | 21.04% |
IBM International Business Machines Corporation | -6.89% | 38.23% | 39.27% | 21.85% | 10.64% | 16.65% | -1.16% | 23.58% | -22.56% | -3.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between ZBRA and IBM is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 1991 | 0.30 |
Fundamentals
ZBRA:
$11.57B
IBM:
$259.20B
ZBRA:
$8.16
IBM:
$11.32
ZBRA:
27.99
IBM:
24.05
ZBRA:
2.10
IBM:
3.75
ZBRA:
3.33
IBM:
7.86
ZBRA:
$5.58B
IBM:
$68.91B
ZBRA:
$2.65B
IBM:
$40.64B
ZBRA:
$1.02B
IBM:
$15.71B
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Return for Risk
ZBRA vs. IBM — Risk / Return Rank
ZBRA
IBM
ZBRA vs. IBM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA) 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.
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.
| ZBRA | IBM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.51 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.76 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.04 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.53 | -0.02 | -0.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.90 | -0.05 | -0.86 |
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Drawdowns
ZBRA vs. IBM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ZBRA drawdown since its inception was -73.42%, which is greater than IBM's maximum drawdown of -69.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZBRA and IBM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ZBRA | IBM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -73.42% | -69.40% | -4.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -41.62% | -30.96% | -10.66% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -52.67% | -30.96% | -21.71% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -67.78% | -30.96% | -36.82% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -67.78% | -40.59% | -27.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -62.83% | -17.31% | -45.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -27.71% | -20.12% | -7.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 24.36% | 14.38% | +9.98% |
Volatility
ZBRA vs. IBM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA) is 14.63%, while International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) has a volatility of 21.43%. This indicates that ZBRA 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.
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Volatility by Period
| ZBRA | IBM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.63% | 21.43% | -6.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 31.30% | 34.62% | -3.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 42.22% | 39.45% | +2.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 40.49% | 27.16% | +13.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 39.38% | 26.59% | +12.79% |
Dividends
ZBRA vs. IBM - Dividend Comparison
ZBRA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IBM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBM International Business Machines Corporation | 2.47% | 2.27% | 3.03% | 4.05% | 4.68% | 4.74% | 5.17% | 4.80% | 5.46% | 3.85% | 3.31% | 3.63% |
ZBRA Zebra Technologies Corporation | 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
ZBRA vs. IBM - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Zebra Technologies Corporation and International Business Machines Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
ZBRA vs. IBM - Profitability Comparison
ZBRA - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zebra Technologies Corporation reported a gross profit of 742.00M and revenue of 1.50B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 49.6%.
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%.
ZBRA - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zebra Technologies Corporation reported an operating income of 215.00M and revenue of 1.50B, resulting in an operating margin of 14.4%.
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%.
ZBRA - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zebra Technologies Corporation reported a net income of 135.00M and revenue of 1.50B, resulting in a net margin of 9.0%.
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
ZBRA and IBM have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IBM has higher volatility (21.43%) compared to ZBRA (14.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZBRA dropped -73.42% vs IBM's -69.40%.
IBM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.02 vs -0.52), 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.
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