IBM vs. Alphabet: Which Is the Better Buy? -- The Motley Fool

Over the last 20 years, the growth of the internet and the subsequent emergence of mobile and cloud computing have disrupted IBM (NYSE:IBM). As IT spending at companies has shifted to the cloud, Big Blue has scrambled to shed old assets and invest in new technologies to pave the way for growth. But the damage has been done: Over the last five years, shares of IBM have badly trailed the broader market, down 24% compared to the S&P 500 return of 51%. On the other side, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has emerged as one of the most dominant companies in the world. The stock has doubled in the last five years, beating the broader market.