ARM vs. MSI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 25, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ARM and MSI, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

ARM trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, MSI is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	ARM	MSI
Company Name	Arm Holdings plc	Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Country	United Kingdom	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment	Communications Equipment
Market Capitalization	138.93 billion USD	76.99 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	September 14, 2023	January 2, 1962
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ARM and MSI by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ARM vs. MSI: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ARM	MSI
5-Day Price Return	-5.36%	0.11%
13-Week Price Return	-1.43%	8.66%
26-Week Price Return	-13.77%	-0.84%
52-Week Price Return	2.85%	9.40%
Month-to-Date Return	-5.21%	5.27%
Year-to-Date Return	8.63%	-0.02%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.00M	1.18M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.00M	0.93M
3-Month Volatility	46.58%	14.67%
Beta	2.73	0.99

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ARM

10.64%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 52.74%
Q3: 23.49%
Median: 11.60%
Q1: 3.23%
Min: -20.69%

ARM’s Return on Equity of 10.64% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MSI

127.51%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 32.05%
Q3: 19.58%
Median: 11.77%
Q1: 2.23%
Min: -11.93%

MSI’s Return on Equity of 127.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ARM

16.96%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 44.17%
Q3: 22.38%
Median: 11.95%
Q1: 3.21%
Min: -25.16%

ARM’s Net Profit Margin of 16.96% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

MSI

19.08%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 23.65%
Q3: 14.32%
Median: 5.31%
Q1: 1.45%
Min: -12.72%

A Net Profit Margin of 19.08% places MSI in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ARM

18.51%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 58.03%
Q3: 27.84%
Median: 12.45%
Q1: 5.15%
Min: -28.61%

ARM’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.51% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MSI

25.23%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 42.27%
Q3: 18.90%
Median: 6.21%
Q1: 2.97%
Min: -20.72%

An Operating Profit Margin of 25.23% places MSI in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ARM	MSI
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.64%	127.51%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.01%	14.27%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.96%	19.08%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.51%	25.23%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	97.14%	51.34%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ARM

4.99

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 8.42
Q3: 4.70
Median: 2.75
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.04

ARM’s Current Ratio of 4.99 is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

MSI

1.73

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.72
Q3: 1.72
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.18
Min: 0.93

MSI’s Current Ratio of 1.73 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ARM

0.00

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.45
Median: 0.22
Q1: 0.01
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, ARM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

MSI

3.93

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.55
Q3: 0.92
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.93, MSI operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Communications Equipment industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ARM

6.95

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 174.00
Q3: 81.10
Median: 27.22
Q1: 7.28
Min: -4.26

In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, ARM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.95 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

MSI

8.92

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 181.73
Q3: 113.63
Median: 7.59
Q1: 3.82
Min: -5.39

MSI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ARM	MSI
Current Ratio (MRQ)	4.99	1.73
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	4.77	1.54
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.00	3.93
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	6.95	8.92

Growth

Revenue Growth

ARM vs. MSI: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ARM vs. MSI: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ARM

0.00%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 4.16%
Q3: 1.78%
Median: 0.74%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ARM currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

MSI

0.90%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 3.88%
Q3: 2.75%
Median: 0.93%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MSI’s Dividend Yield of 0.90% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ARM

0.00%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 196.12%
Q3: 87.72%
Median: 26.57%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ARM has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

MSI

32.70%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 111.16%
Q3: 55.91%
Median: 28.42%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MSI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.70% is within the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ARM	MSI
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.90%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	32.70%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ARM

203.03

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 109.37
Q3: 57.11
Median: 28.95
Q1: 22.13
Min: 11.14

At 203.03, ARM’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

MSI

36.30

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 57.30
Q3: 47.92
Median: 27.50
Q1: 17.89
Min: 13.89

MSI’s P/E Ratio of 36.30 is within the middle range for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ARM

34.44

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 16.09
Q3: 10.10
Median: 4.82
Q1: 2.60
Min: 0.93

With a P/S Ratio of 34.44, ARM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

MSI

6.93

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 11.03
Q3: 5.53
Median: 2.20
Q1: 0.99
Min: 0.40

MSI’s P/S Ratio of 6.93 is in the upper echelon for the Communications Equipment industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ARM

24.45

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 13.56
Q3: 6.75
Median: 3.68
Q1: 1.89
Min: 0.60

At 24.45, ARM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

MSI

35.66

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 9.66
Q3: 5.60
Median: 3.73
Q1: 2.67
Min: 0.30

At 35.66, MSI’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Communications Equipment industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

ARM vs. MSI: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ARM	MSI
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	203.03	36.30
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	34.44	6.93
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	24.45	35.66
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	199.60	32.22