Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) 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 | EXEL | 7.0% revenue growth vs AAPL's 6.4% |
| Value | EXEL | Lower P/E (13.3x vs 31.1x), PEG 0.26 vs 1.74 |
| Quality / Margins | EXEL | 29.6% net margin vs AAPL's 27.0% |
| Stability / Safety | EXEL | Beta 0.63 vs AAPL's 1.28, lower leverage |
| Dividends | AAPL | 0.4% yield; 14-year raise streak; EXEL pays no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | EXEL | +13.9% vs AAPL's +9.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AAPL | 31.1% ROA vs EXEL's 24.0%, ROIC 64.5% vs 32.1% |
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
Exelixis is an oncology-focused biotechnology company that discovers, develops, and commercializes targeted cancer therapies. It generates revenue primarily from sales of its flagship drug Cabometyx — which accounts for the vast majority of its revenue — along with royalties from partnered products like Cotellic. The company's competitive advantage lies in its deep expertise in tyrosine kinase inhibitors and its focused pipeline targeting difficult-to-treat cancers.
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
EXEL leads in 3 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Valuation Metrics). AAPL leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
AAPL is the larger business by revenue, generating $435.6B annually — 190.4x EXEL's $2.3B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 29.6% (EXEL) to 27.0% (AAPL). On growth, AAPL holds the edge at +15.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | EXELExelixis, Inc. | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.3B | $435.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $830M | $152.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $678M | $117.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $753M | $123.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +96.6% | +47.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +35.0% | +32.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +29.6% | +27.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +32.9% | +28.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.8% | +15.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +75.0% | +18.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 15.8x trailing earnings, EXEL trades at a 55% valuation discount to AAPL's 35.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), EXEL offers better value at 0.31x vs AAPL's 1.98x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | EXELExelixis, Inc. | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $11.8B | $3.88T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $11.5B | $3.97T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 15.85x | 35.41x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.29x | 31.15x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.31x | 1.98x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.19x | 27.45x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.09x | 9.33x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.75x | 53.76x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.36x | 39.33x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AAPL delivers a 133.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $134 in annual profit, vs $31 for EXEL. EXEL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.08x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AAPL's 1.67x.
| Metric | EXELExelixis, Inc. | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +31.4% | +133.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +24.0% | +31.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +32.1% | +64.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +35.0% | +69.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.08x | 1.67x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$309M | $89.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $482M | $33.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $173M | $123.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in AAPL five years ago would be worth $21,049 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $19,758 for EXEL. Over the past 12 months, EXEL leads with a +13.9% total return vs AAPL's +9.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EXEL at 37.1% vs AAPL's 21.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | EXELExelixis, Inc. | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +1.1% | -2.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +13.9% | +9.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +158.0% | +81.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +97.6% | +110.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1110.4% | +1027.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +37.1% | +21.9% |
Risk & Volatility
EXEL is the less volatile stock with a 0.63 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.
| Metric | EXELExelixis, Inc. | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.63x | 1.28x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $49.62 | $288.61 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $32.38 | $169.21 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.8% | +91.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 53.1 | 57.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.1M | 40.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates EXEL as "Buy" and AAPL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 14.7% upside for AAPL (target: $303) vs 0.8% for EXEL (target: $44). AAPL is the only dividend payer here at 0.39% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | EXELExelixis, Inc. | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $44.40 | $303.11 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 32 | 109 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.03 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +8.0% | +2.3% |
Historical Charts
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Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) | 100 | 221.93 | +121.9% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 100 | 361.46 | +261.5% |
Apple Inc. (AAPL) returned +110% over 5 years vs Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL)'s +98%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) | $191M | $2.3B | +1111.8% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | $215.6B | $416.2B | +93.0% |
Exelixis, Inc.'s revenue grew from $191M (2016) to $2.3B (2025) — a 31.9% CAGR. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) | -36.7% | 33.7% | +192.0% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 21.2% | 26.9% | +27.0% |
Exelixis, Inc.'s net margin went from -37% (2016) to 34% (2025). Apple Inc.'s net margin went from 21% (2016) to 27% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) | 62 | 15.8 | -74.5% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 18.4 | 36.4 | +97.8% |
Exelixis, Inc. has traded in a 9x–62x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~16x. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) | -0.28 | 2.78 | +1092.9% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 2.08 | 7.46 | +258.7% |
Exelixis, Inc.'s EPS grew from $-0.28 (2016) to $2.78 (2025). Apple Inc.'s EPS grew from $2.08 (2016) to $7.46 (2025) — a 15% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Exelixis, Inc. generated $884M FCF in 2025 (+163% vs 2021). Apple Inc. generated $99B FCF in 2025 (+6% vs 2021).
EXEL vs AAPL: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is EXEL or AAPL a better buy right now?
Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) offers the better valuation at 15.8x trailing P/E (13.3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) a "Buy" — based on 32 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 — EXEL or AAPL?
On trailing P/E, Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) is the cheapest at 15.8x versus Apple Inc. at 35.4x. On forward P/E, Exelixis, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13.3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Exelixis, Inc. wins at 0.26x versus Apple Inc.'s 1.74x — a PEG below 1.0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — EXEL or AAPL?
Over the past 5 years, Apple Inc. (AAPL) delivered a total return of +110.5%, compared to +97.6% for Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL). 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: EXEL returned +1110% versus AAPL's +1027%. 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 — EXEL or AAPL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) is the lower-risk stock at 0.63β versus Apple Inc.'s 1.28β — meaning AAPL is approximately 104% more volatile than EXEL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 8% versus 167% for Apple Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — EXEL or AAPL?
Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) is the more profitable company, earning 33.7% net margin versus 26.9% for Apple Inc. — meaning it keeps 33.7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EXEL leads at 37.6% versus 32.0% for AAPL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EXEL leads at 96.6%, 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 EXEL 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, Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0.26x versus Apple Inc.'s 1.74x. A PEG below 1.0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) trades at 13.3x forward P/E versus 31.1x for Apple Inc. — 17.9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AAPL: 14.7% to $303.11.
07Which pays a better dividend — EXEL or AAPL?
In this comparison, AAPL (0.4% yield) pays a dividend. EXEL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is EXEL or AAPL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.63), +1110% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EXEL: +1110%, 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 EXEL and AAPL?
These companies operate in different sectors (EXEL (Healthcare) and AAPL (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced. In terms of investment character: EXEL is a mid-cap deep-value stock; AAPL is a mega-cap quality compounder stock. 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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