SafetyMargin.ioSafetyMargin.io
BlogWatchlistCompare
Compare Stocks › AAPL vs RF

Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs Regions Financial Corporation (RF): Which Is the Better Buy in 2026?

As of 2026-06-19, AAPL is overvalued at $298, with a DCF intrinsic value of $182 and a margin of safety of -64%. RF is undervalued at $29, with an intrinsic value of $58 and a margin of safety of 50%. Of the two, RF has the wider margin of safety.

AAPL
Apple Inc.
$298.01
VS
RF
Regions Financial Corporation
$28.62

Rewards

AAPL
  • ★Apple Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • ★Apple Inc. scores 96/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • ★Return on equity has consistently exceeded 20% over 4 years, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.
RF
  • ★Regions Financial Corporation scores 84/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with reinvestment efficiency as the strongest competitive dimension.

Risks

AAPL
  • ⚠FCF yield of 2.3% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
  • ⚠PEG ratio of 2.42 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
  • ⚠6 insider sales totaling $111.7M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
RF
  • ⚠Gross margin of 0.0% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
  • ⚠Altman Z-Score of 0.24 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
  • ⚠Free cash flow has declined at a 8.6% CAGR over the past 4 years — a concerning trend.

Key Valuation Metrics

Learn more →
AAPL
RF
Valuation
$101.09B
Free Cash Flow
N/A
2.31%
FCF Yield
N/A
36.08
Trailing P/E
11.88
31.06
Forward P/E
10.02
Quality & Moat
60.20%
ROIC
28.03%
141.47%
ROE
11.89%
47.86%
Gross Margin
0.00%
2.42
PEG Ratio
1.83
Balance Sheet Safety
0.15
Net Debt / Equity
N/A
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
0.10
Net Debt / EBITDA
N/A
0.36%
Dividend Yield
3.65%
AAPL: 3Ties: 1RF: 4
AAPLRF

Historical Fundamentals

Learn more →
AAPL

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

RF

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

Learn more →
AAPL
$7.57
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$257.06B
Δ Market Cap
+$1.94T
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
RF
$1.03
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Value Creator
Σ Retained
$3.24B
Δ Market Cap
+$3.35B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

Learn more →
AAPL
63.8% Overvalued
Price is 63.8% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $298.01
Fair Value: $181.90
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
RF
50.3% Margin of Safety
Price is 50.3% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $28.62
Fair Value: $57.60
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

Learn more →
AAPL

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $298?

+16.9%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +18.3%

The market implies +16.9% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding +18.3%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

RF

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

Economic Moat Score

Learn more →
AAPL
96/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 5 years of fundamental data.
RF
84/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat driven primarily by reinvestment efficiency. Margin Stability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

Learn more →
AAPL
-2.29
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
RF
-2.32
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

Learn more →
AAPL
Insiders 1.6%Institutions 65.8%Retail & Other 32.5%
No. of Institutional Holders7,675
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
RF
Insiders 0.3%Institutions 86.3%Retail & Other 13.5%
No. of Institutional Holders1,443
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

Learn more →
AAPL
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
RF
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $101,906
JENKINS ROGER W
Director
$101,906
@ $25.48 · 2025-08-13
JOHNSON JOIA M
Director
$48,702
@ $21.17 · 2025-03-11
SUQUET JOSE S
Director
$57,687
@ $23.96 · 2025-01-29
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

Learn more →
AAPL
6
Sells (3M)
13
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $198.97M
LEVINSON ARTHUR D
Director
$15.55M
@ $311.02 · 2026-05-27
BORDERS BEN
Officer
$369,460
@ $290.00 · 2026-05-08
LEVINSON ARTHUR D
Director
$71.19M
@ $284.76 · 2026-05-06
PAREKH KEVAN
Chief Financial Officer
$421,850
@ $275.00 · 2026-04-23
COOK TIMOTHY D
Chief Executive Officer
$16.51M
@ $254.23 · 2026-04-02
O'BRIEN DEIRDRE
Officer
$7.66M
@ $255.35 · 2026-04-02
KONDO CHRISTOPHER
Officer
$1.02M
@ $271.23 · 2025-11-07
PAREKH KEVAN
Chief Financial Officer
$1.04M
@ $247.39 · 2025-10-16
ADAMS KATHERINE L
General Counsel
$12.10M
@ $256.79 · 2025-10-02
COOK TIMOTHY D
Chief Executive Officer
$33.38M
@ $256.81 · 2025-10-02
O'BRIEN DEIRDRE
Officer
$11.07M
@ $257.39 · 2025-10-02
LEVINSON ARTHUR D
Director
$20.89M
@ $232.07 · 2025-08-28
O'BRIEN DEIRDRE
Officer
$7.77M
@ $223.20 · 2025-08-08
KONDO CHRISTOPHER
Officer
$933,955
@ $208.19 · 2025-05-12
PAREKH KEVAN
Chief Financial Officer
$941,420
@ $206.00 · 2025-04-23
WILLIAMS JEFFREY E
Chief Operating Officer
$7.95M
@ $224.01 · 2025-04-02
ADAMS KATHERINE L
General Counsel
$8.68M
@ $223.67 · 2025-04-02
COOK TIMOTHY D
Chief Executive Officer
$24.18M
@ $223.65 · 2025-04-02
LEVINSON ARTHUR D
Director
$343,147
@ $226.35 · 2025-02-03
LEVINSON ARTHUR D
Director
$45.46M
@ $227.32 · 2024-11-19
KONDO CHRISTOPHER
Officer
$945,233
@ $228.87 · 2024-11-18
MAESTRI LUCA
Chief Financial Officer
$13.43M
@ $226.52 · 2024-10-04
WILLIAMS JEFFREY E
Chief Operating Officer
$13.55M
@ $226.86 · 2024-10-02
ADAMS KATHERINE L
General Counsel
$13.80M
@ $226.20 · 2024-10-02
COOK TIMOTHY D
Chief Executive Officer
$50.28M
@ $224.46 · 2024-10-02
O'BRIEN DEIRDRE
Officer
$13.84M
@ $226.87 · 2024-10-02
KONDO CHRISTOPHER
Officer
$1.96M
@ $225.00 · 2024-08-15
KONDO CHRISTOPHER
Officer
$1.12M
@ $216.50 · 2024-08-09
ADAMS KATHERINE L
General Counsel
$20.64M
@ $206.44 · 2024-08-05
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
RF
1
Sells (3M)
3
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $1.98M
WILLMAN BRIAN R
Officer
$195,750
@ $27.91 · 2026-05-07
RITTER WILLIAM D
Officer
$1.04M
@ $28.78 · 2026-01-22
KEENAN DAVID R
Officer
$750,279
@ $25.01 · 2025-08-06
WILLMAN BRIAN R
Officer
$174,885
@ $21.37 · 2025-05-08
SUQUET JOSE S
Director
$5,371
@ $23.98 · 2025-02-03
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

Learn more →
AAPL
FearGreed
😐Neutral(60/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
RF
FearGreed
😐Neutral(55/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

Learn more →
AAPL
⚪Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (60)
RF
⚪Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (55)
View AAPL Full AnalysisView RF Full Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions: AAPL vs RF

Is Apple Inc. or Regions Financial Corporation more undervalued in 2026?▼

Based on our discounted cash flow model, RF trades at a 50.3% margin of safety (intrinsic value $58 vs. price $29), compared to AAPL's -63.8% margin of safety (intrinsic $182 vs. $298).

Which stock has a wider economic moat, Apple Inc. or Regions Financial Corporation?▼

AAPL scores 96/100 (Wide moat), while RF scores 84/100 (Wide moat). The moat score measures competitive advantage durability across ROIC consistency, margin stability, revenue predictability, and reinvestment efficiency.

Is Regions Financial Corporation in financial distress?▼

RF's Altman Z-Score of 0.2 places it in the Distress zone, signaling elevated bankruptcy risk. AAPL scores 10.7 (Safe zone). The Altman Z-Score is a five-factor model that predicts insolvency within two years; scores below 1.81 indicate significant distress.

Which stock has higher return on invested capital, Apple Inc. or Regions Financial Corporation?▼

AAPL earns 60.2% ROIC versus RF's 28.0%. A higher ROIC means the company generates more profit per dollar of capital employed, a hallmark of durable competitive advantage in Buffett-style analysis.

Which dividend is safer, Apple Inc.'s or Regions Financial Corporation's?▼

RF's dividend earns a safety score of 94/100 (Very Safe), compared to AAPL's 94/100 (Very Safe). RF has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years.