Seagate Technology (STX) Competitors

Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) and Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends.

Does the media prefer WDC or STX?

In the previous week, Seagate Technology had 19 more articles in the media than Western Digital. MarketBeat recorded 58 mentions for Seagate Technology and 39 mentions for Western Digital. Western Digital's average media sentiment score of 1.10 beat Seagate Technology's score of 1.08 indicating that Western Digital is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Western Digital	24 Very Positive mention(s)	4 Positive mention(s)	7 Neutral mention(s)	1 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Seagate Technology	36 Very Positive mention(s)	5 Positive mention(s)	10 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Do analysts prefer WDC or STX?

Western Digital presently has a consensus target price of $105.65, indicating a potential downside of 16.28%. Seagate Technology has a consensus target price of $229.40, indicating a potential upside of 1.77%. Given Seagate Technology's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Seagate Technology is more favorable than Western Digital.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Western Digital	0 Sell rating(s)	5 Hold rating(s)	17 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.83
Seagate Technology	1 Sell rating(s)	5 Hold rating(s)	17 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75

Which has more risk and volatility, WDC or STX?

Western Digital has a beta of 1.77, indicating that its stock price is 77% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Seagate Technology has a beta of 1.63, indicating that its stock price is 63% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Is WDC or STX more profitable?

Seagate Technology has a net margin of 16.15% compared to Western Digital's net margin of 14.13%. Western Digital's return on equity of 24.93% beat Seagate Technology's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Western Digital	14.13%	24.93%	10.59%
Seagate Technology	16.15%	-169.60%	19.70%

Is WDC or STX a better dividend stock?

Western Digital pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Seagate Technology pays an annual dividend of $2.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Western Digital pays out 7.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Seagate Technology pays out 42.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Seagate Technology has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Seagate Technology is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Which has preferable valuation and earnings, WDC or STX?

Western Digital has higher revenue and earnings than Seagate Technology. Western Digital is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Seagate Technology, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Western Digital	$9.52B	4.54	$1.89B	$5.15	24.50
Seagate Technology	$9.10B	5.28	$1.47B	$6.77	33.29

Do institutionals & insiders believe in WDC or STX?

92.5% of Western Digital shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.9% of Seagate Technology shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Western Digital shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Seagate Technology shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Seagate Technology beats Western Digital on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.