SG&A Efficiency Analysis: Comparing Apple Inc. and Workday, Inc.

SG&A Efficiency: A Tale of Two Giants

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Apple Inc. and Workday, Inc. stand as titans, each with its unique approach to managing Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) expenses. Over the past decade, from 2014 to 2024, Apple has consistently demonstrated a robust SG&A strategy, with expenses growing from approximately $12 billion to over $26 billion. This represents a growth of about 117%, reflecting Apple's expansive global operations and marketing prowess.

Conversely, Workday, Inc., a leader in enterprise cloud applications, has seen its SG&A expenses rise from around $263 million to nearly $2.8 billion, marking an impressive increase of over 960%. This surge underscores Workday's aggressive market expansion and investment in customer acquisition.

While Apple's SG&A expenses are significantly higher in absolute terms, Workday's rapid growth rate highlights its dynamic approach in a competitive market. This comparison offers a fascinating glimpse into how two industry leaders allocate resources to drive growth and maintain market leadership.