Compare StocksADBE vs APP

Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs AppLovin Corporation (APP)

ADBE
Adobe Inc.
$245.99
VS
APP
AppLovin Corporation
$439.92

Rewards

ADBE
  • Adobe Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Gross margin of 89.4% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Adobe Inc. scores 100/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
APP
  • Gross margin of 87.9% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 112.3% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $42.50 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.

Risks

ADBE
    APP
    • FCF yield of 2.7% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
    • Insiders have sold $122.0M worth of stock in the past 3 months — significant insider liquidation.

    Key Valuation Metrics

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    ADBE
    APP
    Valuation
    $9.29B
    Free Cash Flow
    $3.94B
    9.20%
    FCF Yield
    2.65%
    14.33
    Trailing P/E
    43.86
    9.33
    Forward P/E
    21.72
    Quality & Moat
    40.36%
    ROIC
    57.40%
    62.36%
    ROE
    156.17%
    89.40%
    Gross Margin
    87.86%
    1.29
    PEG Ratio
    0.52
    Balance Sheet Safety
    0.58
    Debt / Equity
    1.72
    N/A
    Interest Coverage
    N/A
    -0.02
    Net Debt / EBITDA
    0.28
    N/A
    Dividend Yield
    N/A
    ADBE: 6Ties: 2APP: 3
    ADBEAPP

    Historical Fundamentals

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    ADBE

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    APP

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    $1 Retained Earnings Test

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    ADBE
    $-0.60
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Market Cap Declined
    Σ Retained
    $18.12B
    Δ Market Cap
    $-10.93B
    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
    APP
    $42.50
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Exceptional Value Creator
    Σ Retained
    $5.27B
    Δ Market Cap
    +$224.03B
    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

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    ADBE
    48.4% Margin of Safety
    Price is 48.4% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $245.99
    Fair Value: $477.11
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued
    APP
    38.4% Margin of Safety
    Price is 38.4% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $439.92
    Fair Value: $713.70
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued

    Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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    ADBE

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $246?

    +3.0%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies -0.7%

    The market implies +3.0% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

    Standard FCF implies a more demanding -0.7%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

    APP

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $440?

    +18.7%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies +16.4%

    The market implies +18.7% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

    Standard FCF implies a more demanding +16.4%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

    Economic Moat Score

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    ADBE
    100/100
    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 4 years of fundamental data.
    APP
    51/100
    Narrow Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Narrow moat with reinvestment efficiency as the key competitive advantage. Improving revenue predictability would strengthen the moat.

    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

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    ADBE
    -2.85
    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.
    APP
    -2.43
    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

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    ADBE
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 87.8%Retail & Other 11.9%
    No. of Institutional Holders3,534
    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.
    APP
    Insiders 18.7%Institutions 81.1%Retail & Other 0.1%
    No. of Institutional Holders2,124
    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

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    ADBE
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $507,758
    @ $390.58 · 2025-03-20
    RICKS DAVID A
    Director
    $998,946
    @ $443.98 · 2025-01-28
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
    APP
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    No open market insider purchases found.
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

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

    Insider Selling Activity

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    ADBE
    1
    Sells (3M)
    3
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $711,495
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $485,323
    @ $294.85 · 2026-01-27
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $50,344
    @ $337.88 · 2025-10-31
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $175,828
    @ $380.58 · 2025-05-02
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $145,567
    @ $435.83 · 2025-01-28
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $2.05M
    @ $431.61 · 2025-01-27
    BANSE AMY L
    Director
    $333,300
    @ $550.00 · 2024-12-06
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $327,987
    @ $485.19 · 2024-10-29
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $232,525
    @ $483.42 · 2024-10-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.14M
    @ $511.48 · 2024-10-16
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $3.35M
    @ $515.44 · 2024-09-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $52,089
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $258,297
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $85,255
    @ $564.60 · 2024-07-16
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.25M
    @ $561.60 · 2024-07-16
    RAO DANA J.D.
    General Counsel
    $3.56M
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $138,735
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $265,644
    @ $447.97 · 2024-06-03
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $389,630
    @ $490.10 · 2024-05-06
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.29M
    @ $474.30 · 2024-05-02
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $45,436
    @ $468.41 · 2024-04-25
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
    APP
    4
    Sells (3M)
    28
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $599.95M
    VIVAS EDUARDO
    Director
    $74.33M
    @ $453.49 · 2026-03-16
    DOROSH DMITRIY
    Officer
    $1.41M
    @ $453.42 · 2026-03-13
    FOROUGHI ARASH ADAM
    Chief Executive Officer
    $27.50M
    @ $463.71 · 2026-03-12
    FOROUGHI ARASH ADAM
    Chief Executive Officer
    $18.72M
    @ $459.85 · 2026-03-12
    VALENZUELA VICTORIA
    Officer
    $5.00M
    @ $657.13 · 2025-12-18
    HARVEY DAWSON ALYSSA
    Director
    $103,998
    @ $693.32 · 2025-12-08
    SHIKIN VASILY
    Chief Technology Officer
    $14.80M
    @ $545.38 · 2025-11-24
    STUMPF MATTHEW
    Chief Financial Officer
    $2.52M
    @ $515.76 · 2025-11-21
    HARVEY DAWSON ALYSSA
    Director
    $117,836
    @ $589.18 · 2025-11-12
    VIVAS EDUARDO
    Director
    $97.64M
    @ $650.91 · 2025-11-10
    BILLINGS CRAIG SCOTT
    Director
    $1.39M
    @ $592.92 · 2025-11-07
    HARVEY DAWSON ALYSSA
    Director
    $170,790
    @ $487.97 · 2025-09-05
    VALENZUELA VICTORIA
    Officer
    $17.58M
    @ $502.23 · 2025-09-04
    VALENZUELA VICTORIA
    Officer
    $6.75M
    @ $450.00 · 2025-08-25
    SHIKIN VASILY
    Chief Technology Officer
    $13.13M
    @ $437.57 · 2025-08-22
    FOROUGHI ARASH ADAM
    Chief Executive Officer
    $11.53M
    @ $440.23 · 2025-08-22
    VALENZUELA VICTORIA
    Officer
    $6.92M
    @ $416.71 · 2025-08-21
    STUMPF MATTHEW
    Chief Financial Officer
    $2.03M
    @ $416.18 · 2025-08-21
    CHEN HERALD Y
    Director
    $167.51M
    @ $456.43 · 2025-08-13
    CHEN HERALD Y
    Director
    $15.11M
    @ $457.93 · 2025-08-13
    VIVAS EDUARDO
    Director
    $58.25M
    @ $466.00 · 2025-08-12
    MESSING BARBARA
    Director
    $573,692
    @ $382.46 · 2025-06-11
    CHEN HERALD Y
    Director
    $41.99M
    @ $419.91 · 2025-06-06
    STUMPF MATTHEW
    Chief Financial Officer
    $4.11M
    @ $423.00 · 2025-06-06
    HARVEY DAWSON ALYSSA
    Director
    $1.45M
    @ $414.90 · 2025-06-06
    VALENZUELA VICTORIA
    Officer
    $4.88M
    @ $369.79 · 2025-05-21
    HARVEY DAWSON ALYSSA
    Director
    $211,540
    @ $371.12 · 2025-05-13
    BILLINGS CRAIG SCOTT
    Director
    $4.24M
    @ $353.12 · 2025-05-12
    CHEN HERALD Y
    Director
    $64.93M
    @ $324.65 · 2025-02-28
    FOROUGHI ARASH ADAM
    Chief Executive Officer
    $19.24M
    @ $421.88 · 2025-02-24
    FOROUGHI ARASH ADAM
    Chief Executive Officer
    $18.24M
    @ $410.89 · 2025-02-24
    VALENZUELA VICTORIA
    Officer
    $5.00M
    @ $313.07 · 2024-12-19
    CHEN HERALD Y
    Director
    $32.62M
    @ $329.50 · 2024-12-12
    FOROUGHI ARASH ADAM
    Chief Executive Officer
    $17.19M
    @ $332.74 · 2024-12-11
    CHEN HERALD Y
    Director
    $63.92M
    @ $329.36 · 2024-12-10
    FOROUGHI ARASH ADAM
    Chief Executive Officer
    $18.82M
    @ $343.38 · 2024-12-10
    FOROUGHI ARASH ADAM
    Chief Executive Officer
    $14.47M
    @ $332.52 · 2024-12-10
    HARVEY DAWSON ALYSSA
    Director
    $203,134
    @ $406.27 · 2024-12-06
    VALENZUELA VICTORIA
    Officer
    $6.35M
    @ $354.15 · 2024-12-03
    HARVEY DAWSON ALYSSA
    Director
    $977,282
    @ $325.76 · 2024-11-27
    SHIKIN VASILY
    Chief Technology Officer
    $74.75M
    @ $324.99 · 2024-11-25
    SHIKIN VASILY
    Chief Technology Officer
    $51.74M
    @ $311.68 · 2024-11-22
    STUMPF MATTHEW
    Chief Financial Officer
    $7.02M
    @ $332.67 · 2024-11-22
    BILLINGS CRAIG SCOTT
    Director
    $5.74M
    @ $318.94 · 2024-11-21
    SHIKIN VASILY
    Chief Technology Officer
    $189.57M
    @ $319.37 · 2024-11-21
    JANSEN KATIE KIHORANY
    Officer
    $34.26M
    @ $286.13 · 2024-11-13
    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

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    ADBE
    FearGreed
    😨Fear(27/100)

    "Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

    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.
    APP
    FearGreed
    😨Fear(40/100)

    "Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

    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

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    ADBE
    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: Fear (27)
    APP
    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: Fear (40)
    View ADBE Full AnalysisView APP Full Analysis