Comparative Financial Analysis: Apple Inc. vs. Alphabet Inc.

This independent research project compares Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc. over a five-year period across six categories: profitability, growth, financial health, cash generation, valuation, and stock market performance. Using financial data from company reports and stock-market sources, the project evaluates trends across 18 financial metrics and assesses whether the original hypothesis is supported by the results. The findings suggest that Alphabet performed better in growth, financial health, and stock-price appreciation, while Apple performed better in cash generation and had more stable stock-price performance. Profitability results shifted over time, and valuation results were mixed. Overall, the original hypothesis was partly supported. One limitation is that Apple and Alphabet have different fiscal year-ends, so their annual reporting periods do not align exactly.