Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Acme United Corporation (ACU) vs Apple Inc. (AAPL) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AAPL | 6.4% revenue growth vs ACU's 1.6% |
| Value | ACU | Lower P/E (27.8x vs 31.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | AAPL | 27.0% net margin vs ACU's 5.1% |
| Stability / Safety | ACU | Beta 0.51 vs AAPL's 1.28, lower leverage |
| Dividends | ACU | 1.2% yield, vs AAPL's 0.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | ACU | +16.8% vs AAPL's +9.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AAPL | 31.1% ROA vs ACU's 5.8%, ROIC 64.5% vs 8.4% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Valuation efficiency (growth/$)
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
Acme United Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor of first aid, safety, and cutting tools for consumer and industrial markets. It generates revenue primarily through sales of branded products across three main segments: first aid and safety products (around 50% of sales), cutting tools (roughly 30%), and measuring and craft tools (approximately 20%). The company's competitive advantage lies in its portfolio of established brands—like Westcott, First Aid Only, and Camillus—that have strong recognition in their respective niche markets.
Apple is a technology giant that designs and sells premium consumer electronics — most famously the iPhone — along with related software and services. It generates revenue primarily from hardware sales (roughly 80% of total) and a fast-growing services segment (around 20%) that includes the App Store, subscriptions, and licensing. Its key competitive advantage is a powerful ecosystem that locks users into its hardware, software, and services through seamless integration and high switching costs.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
ACU leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). AAPL leads in 2 (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
AAPL is the larger business by revenue, generating $435.6B annually — 2234.4x ACU's $195M. AAPL is the more profitable business, keeping 27.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ACU's 5.1%. On growth, AAPL holds the edge at +15.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ACUAcme United Corpo… | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $195M | $435.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $20M | $152.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $10M | $117.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $5M | $123.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +39.5% | +47.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +7.2% | +32.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +5.1% | +27.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.6% | +28.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.9% | +15.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -14.8% | +18.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 18.4x trailing earnings, ACU trades at a 48% valuation discount to AAPL's 35.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), AAPL offers better value at 1.98x vs ACU's 2.07x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ACUAcme United Corpo… | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $171M | $3.88T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $198M | $3.97T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 18.37x | 35.41x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 27.78x | 31.15x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.07x | 1.98x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.79x | 27.45x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.88x | 9.33x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.72x | 53.76x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 35.50x | 39.33x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AAPL delivers a 133.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $134 in annual profit, vs $9 for ACU. ACU carries lower financial leverage with a 0.31x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AAPL's 1.67x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AAPL scores 7/9 vs ACU's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ACUAcme United Corpo… | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.7% | +133.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.8% | +31.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.4% | +64.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.8% | +69.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.31x | 1.67x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $26M | $89.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $6M | $33.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $33M | $123.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 10.92x | — |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in AAPL five years ago would be worth $21,049 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,944 for ACU. Over the past 12 months, ACU leads with a +16.8% total return vs AAPL's +9.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ACU at 24.2% vs AAPL's 21.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ACUAcme United Corpo… | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +12.3% | -2.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +16.8% | +9.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +91.7% | +81.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +29.4% | +110.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +228.1% | +1027.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +24.2% | +21.9% |
Risk & Volatility
ACU is the less volatile stock with a 0.51 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AAPL's 1.28 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ACU currently trades 97.4% from its 52-week high vs AAPL's 91.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ACUAcme United Corpo… | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.51x | 1.28x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $46.19 | $288.61 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $35.31 | $169.21 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.4% | +91.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 65.7 | 57.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 7K | 40.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ACU as "Buy" and AAPL as "Buy". For income investors, ACU offers the higher dividend yield at 1.20% vs AAPL's 0.39%.
| Metric | ACUAcme United Corpo… | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $303.11 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 109 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.2% | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.54 | $1.03 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.3% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acme United Corpora… (ACU) | 100 | 187.53 | +87.5% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 100 | 361.46 | +261.5% |
Apple Inc. (AAPL) returned +110% over 5 years vs Acme United Corpora… (ACU)'s +29%. A $10,000 investment in AAPL 5 years ago would be worth $21,049 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acme United Corpora… (ACU) | $125M | $194M | +56.1% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | $215.6B | $416.2B | +93.0% |
Apple Inc.'s revenue grew from $215.6B (2016) to $416.2B (2025) — a 7.6% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acme United Corpora… (ACU) | 4.7% | 5.2% | +9.7% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 21.2% | 26.9% | +27.0% |
Apple Inc.'s net margin went from 21% (2016) to 27% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acme United Corpora… (ACU) | 21.5 | 15.2 | -29.3% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 18.4 | 36.4 | +97.8% |
Acme United Corporation has traded in a 9x–27x P/E range over 8 years; current trailing P/E is ~18x. Apple Inc. has traded in a 13x–41x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~35x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acme United Corpora… (ACU) | 1.64 | 2.45 | +49.4% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 2.08 | 7.46 | +258.7% |
Apple Inc.'s EPS grew from $2.08 (2016) to $7.46 (2025) — a 15% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Acme United Corporation generated $5M FCF in 2024 (+492% vs 2021). Apple Inc. generated $99B FCF in 2025 (+6% vs 2021).
ACU vs AAPL: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ACU or AAPL a better buy right now?
Acme United Corporation (ACU) offers the better valuation at 18.4x trailing P/E (27.8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Acme United Corporation (ACU) a "Buy" — based on 1 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ACU or AAPL?
On trailing P/E, Acme United Corporation (ACU) is the cheapest at 18.4x versus Apple Inc. at 35.4x. On forward P/E, Acme United Corporation is actually cheaper at 27.8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Apple Inc. wins at 1.74x versus Acme United Corporation's 3.12x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ACU or AAPL?
Over the past 5 years, Apple Inc. (AAPL) delivered a total return of +110.5%, compared to +29.4% for Acme United Corporation (ACU). A $10,000 investment in AAPL five years ago would be worth approximately $21K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AAPL returned +1027% versus ACU's +228.1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ACU or AAPL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Acme United Corporation (ACU) is the lower-risk stock at 0.51β versus Apple Inc.'s 1.28β — meaning AAPL is approximately 151% more volatile than ACU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Acme United Corporation (ACU) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 31% versus 167% for Apple Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — ACU or AAPL?
Apple Inc. (AAPL) is the more profitable company, earning 26.9% net margin versus 5.2% for Acme United Corporation — meaning it keeps 26.9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AAPL leads at 32.0% versus 7.3% for ACU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AAPL leads at 46.9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is ACU or AAPL more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential. By this metric, Apple Inc. (AAPL) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1.74x versus Acme United Corporation's 3.12x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Acme United Corporation (ACU) trades at 27.8x forward P/E versus 31.1x for Apple Inc. — 3.4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
07Which pays a better dividend — ACU or AAPL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends. Acme United Corporation (ACU) offers the highest yield at 1.2%, versus 0.4% for Apple Inc. (AAPL).
08Is ACU or AAPL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Acme United Corporation (ACU) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.51), 1.2% yield, +228.1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ACU: +228.1%, AAPL: +1027%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between ACU and AAPL?
These companies operate in different sectors (ACU (Consumer Defensive) and AAPL (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced. ACU pays a dividend while AAPL does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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