Quick verdict: AAPL vs AME in 2026

In a direct aapl vs ame stock comparison 2026, AMETEK, Inc. (AME) holds a notable overall edge, leading in six out of ten comparable metrics in our scorecard. While Apple Inc. (AAPL) showcases superior profitability with higher margins, AME emerges as the stronger contender for value investors and income seekers, boasting a more attractive valuation and a slightly higher dividend yield. Analysts also lean more favorably towards AME with a higher percentage of ‘Buy’ ratings, although AAPL presents a significantly larger potential price target upside. Not investment advice.

AAPL vs AME: key metrics side by side

Full side-by-side comparison of AAPL and AME across valuation, profitability, growth and analyst sentiment. Data updated 2026-03-26.

AAPL vs AME valuation comparison

When evaluating AAPL vs AME valuation, AME appears to be the more attractively priced option. Apple Inc. (AAPL) trades at a P/E ratio of 34.09x, which is somewhat higher than AMETEK’s (AME) P/E of 31.97x. This indicates that investors are willing to pay a premium for Apple’s earnings, reflecting its market dominance and brand strength, but AME offers a slightly cheaper entry point based on current earnings. The disparity becomes even more pronounced when examining the Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio; AAPL stands at a substantial 51.79x, while AME is significantly lower at 4.45x. This vast difference suggests that Apple’s valuation is heavily skewed towards intangible assets and future growth expectations, whereas AME’s valuation is more grounded in its tangible assets.

Further delving into the aapl vs ame fundamentals and valuation, the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis reinforces AME’s relative undervaluation. AAPL currently shows a DCF valuation of $158.11, representing a significant -37.4% downside from its current price, implying that the stock might be overvalued based on its projected future cash flows. In contrast, AME’s DCF valuation is $191.23, indicating a more modest -11.2% downside. This suggests that AME has considerably less implied overvaluation than AAPL according to this intrinsic valuation method. For investors prioritizing value, AMETEK presents a more compelling case with its lower P/E, P/B, and less aggressive implied DCF overvaluation in this aapl vs ame stock comparison 2026.

AAPL vs AME growth comparison

Analyzing the AAPL vs AME growth comparison reveals a closely contested race in terms of top-line expansion for 2026. Apple Inc. reported a year-over-year revenue growth of +6.4%, reflecting consistent demand for its diverse ecosystem of products and services. AMETEK, Inc., a global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices, slightly edges out Apple with a revenue growth of +6.6%. This indicates that while Apple operates on a much larger revenue base of $416.16 billion compared to AME’s $7.40 billion, AMETEK is demonstrating marginally stronger recent growth momentum.

Despite AME’s slightly higher revenue growth, AAPL maintains a substantial lead in profitability margins, which can influence perceptions of future earnings growth quality. Apple’s net margin stands at 26.92% and its EBITDA margin at 34.7%, significantly outperforming AME’s net margin of 20.0% and EBITDA margin of 25.4%. While AME shows robust growth for its sector, Apple’s ability to convert revenue into profit at a much higher rate demonstrates its strong pricing power and operational efficiency. Therefore, while AME displays slightly better revenue momentum, AAPL’s superior margins suggest a more efficient growth engine in this aapl vs ame stock comparison 2026.

AAPL vs AME profitability

In the arena of AAPL vs AME profitability, Apple Inc. demonstrates a clear advantage in terms of operational efficiency and net income generation. AAPL reported an impressive net margin of 26.92%, meaning a substantial portion of its revenue translates directly into profit. Its EBITDA margin is also robust at 34.7%. This speaks to Apple’s strong brand loyalty, premium pricing strategy, and highly optimized supply chain, allowing it to maintain exceptional profitability despite its massive scale.

AMETEK, Inc., while also a profitable company, shows a net margin of 20.0% and an EBITDA margin of 25.4%. These are solid margins for an industrial technology company, but they trail significantly behind Apple’s figures. Both companies reported ‘N/A%’ for Return on Equity (ROE), preventing a direct comparison on that specific metric. However, when examining Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield, AME slightly outperforms AAPL with a 3.39% yield compared to Apple’s 3.32%. This indicates that AME generates a marginally higher amount of free cash flow relative to its market capitalization, which is a positive sign for its financial health and ability to return value to shareholders. Overall, while AME edges out in FCF yield, AAPL undeniably leads in overall profitability metrics such as net and EBITDA margins, highlighting its superior ability to convert sales into profit in this aapl vs ame stock comparison 2026.

Analyst ratings: AAPL vs AME

Examining the analyst ratings for AAPL vs AME provides insightful perspectives on market sentiment for both companies in 2026. Apple Inc. (AAPL) is covered by a significant number of analysts, with 109 professionals tracking the stock. Out of these, 63.3% have issued a ‘Buy’ rating, culminating in a consensus ‘Buy’ recommendation. The average analyst price target for AAPL stands at $316.36, suggesting a substantial upside of +25.2% from its current price of $252.62. This indicates strong confidence in Apple’s future performance and potential for significant capital appreciation.

AMETEK, Inc. (AME), while covered by a smaller pool of 29 analysts, boasts a higher percentage of ‘Buy’ ratings at 69.0%, also resulting in a consensus ‘Buy’ recommendation. The average price target for AME is $241.64, which implies a more modest upside of +12.2% from its current price of $215.33. Therefore, while a greater proportion of analysts endorse buying AME, suggesting a strong underlying conviction in the industrial technology sector, AAPL is projected to deliver a considerably higher percentage return based on analyst price targets. For investors prioritizing potential price appreciation according to Wall Street, AAPL appears to be the more favored option despite AME’s higher ‘Buy’ percentage in this aapl vs ame stock comparison 2026.

Should I buy AAPL or AME stock in 2026?

When considering should I buy aapl or ame stock 2026, the decision largely depends on an investor’s specific objectives and risk tolerance. For growth-oriented investors, AMETEK (AME) presents a compelling argument with its slightly higher revenue growth rate of 6.6% compared to Apple’s 6.4%. While AAPL is a behemoth with immense potential, AME’s consistent performance in specialized industrial technology sectors suggests steady, focused expansion. However, Apple offers a significantly higher analyst price target upside of +25.2%, indicating that analysts see greater capital appreciation potential for the tech giant, potentially driven by new innovations or market expansions.

Value investors will likely find AMETEK (AME) to be the more appealing choice in terms of aapl vs ame fundamentals and valuation. AME trades at a more attractive P/E ratio of 31.97x and a much lower P/B ratio of 4.45x when compared to AAPL’s 34.09x P/E and staggering 51.79x P/B. Furthermore, AME’s DCF analysis suggests a more contained implied overvaluation at -11.2% versus AAPL’s -37.4%. These metrics collectively point to AME as potentially offering a better margin of safety and a more favorable entry point for investors focused on intrinsic value.

For income-focused investors, AMETEK (AME) also holds a slight edge with a dividend yield of 0.6%, which is marginally higher than Apple’s 0.4%. While neither stock is a high-yield dividend play, AME offers a slightly better return on capital for those seeking regular payouts. Ultimately, the choice between AAPL vs AME stock comparison 2026 hinges on whether you prioritize robust profitability and higher analyst upside (AAPL) or a more favorable valuation, slightly faster revenue growth, and better dividend yield (AME). This is not investment advice; always conduct your own thorough research.

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FAQ: AAPL vs AME