CFLT vs. MSI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CFLT and MSI, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CFLT | MSI |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Confluent, Inc. | Motorola Solutions, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | Communications Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 5.96 billion USD | 78.34 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 24, 2021 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CFLT 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CFLT | MSI |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.13% | 5.64% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -22.61% | 13.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -42.15% | -2.47% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -14.32% | 13.92% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.45% | 7.11% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -38.16% | 1.72% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 15.25M | 1.24M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.05M | 0.96M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 75.14% | 15.10% |
| Beta | 0.95 | 1.00 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CFLT
-31.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
CFLT has a negative Return on Equity of -31.29%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CFLT
-29.27%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
CFLT has a negative Net Profit Margin of -29.27%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CFLT
-37.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
CFLT has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -37.29%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CFLT | MSI |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -31.29% | 127.51% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -11.52% | 14.27% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -29.27% | 19.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -37.29% | 25.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 74.22% | 51.34% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CFLT
3.98
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
CFLT’s Current Ratio of 3.98 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software 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.
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CFLT
1.03
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
CFLT’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Software industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.03. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CFLT
-87.07
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
CFLT has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -87.07. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CFLT | MSI |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.98 | 1.73 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 3.83 | 1.54 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 3.93 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -87.07 | 8.92 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CFLT
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CFLT 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
0.88%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.88%
- Q3
- 2.75%
- Median
- 0.93%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSI’s Dividend Yield of 0.88% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CFLT
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CFLT 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CFLT | MSI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 32.70% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CFLT
--
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
P/E Ratio data for CFLT is currently unavailable.
MSI
37.04
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 57.30
- Q3
- 47.92
- Median
- 27.50
- Q1
- 17.89
- Min
- 13.89
MSI’s P/E Ratio of 37.04 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CFLT
5.60
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
CFLT’s P/S Ratio of 5.60 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
MSI
7.06
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.03
- Q3
- 5.53
- Median
- 2.20
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.40
MSI’s P/S Ratio of 7.06 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CFLT
7.98
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
CFLT’s P/B Ratio of 7.98 is within the conventional range for the Software industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CFLT | MSI |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 37.04 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.60 | 7.06 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.98 | 35.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 120.43 | 32.87 |