FLEX vs. GEN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FLEX and GEN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FLEX | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Flex Ltd. | Gen Digital Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 20.99 billion USD | 17.13 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | March 18, 1994 | June 23, 1989 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FLEX and GEN 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 | FLEX | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.47% | -3.37% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 8.59% | -8.76% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 69.68% | 4.82% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 71.81% | 3.04% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.17% | -2.01% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 46.21% | 1.61% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.53M | 3.13M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.11M | 4.03M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.43% | 25.64% |
| Beta | 1.26 | 1.15 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FLEX
16.77%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 21.57%
- Q3
- 13.27%
- Median
- 8.55%
- Q1
- 4.42%
- Min
- -4.21%
In the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s Return on Equity of 16.77% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
GEN
26.88%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
In the upper quartile for the Software industry, GEN’s Return on Equity of 26.88% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FLEX
3.42%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 17.31%
- Q3
- 10.85%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -3.00%
FLEX’s Net Profit Margin of 3.42% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
GEN
14.12%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
GEN’s Net Profit Margin of 14.12% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FLEX
4.78%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 30.04%
- Q3
- 15.08%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.27%
- Min
- -3.83%
FLEX’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.78% is around the midpoint for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GEN
38.06%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
An Operating Profit Margin of 38.06% places GEN in the upper quartile for the Software 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 | FLEX | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.77% | 26.88% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.59% | 3.81% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.42% | 14.12% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.78% | 38.06% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.94% | 79.82% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
1.30
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.57
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.62
FLEX’s Current Ratio of 1.30 falls into the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
GEN
0.50
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
GEN’s Current Ratio of 0.50 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
0.74
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 0.54
- Median
- 0.30
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
FLEX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
GEN
3.75
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.75, GEN operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Software industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
7.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 79.05
- Q3
- 36.62
- Median
- 12.51
- Q1
- 3.72
- Min
- -18.73
FLEX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.39 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
GEN
2.88
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
GEN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.88 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 0.50 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 0.50 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 3.75 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.39 | 2.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.36%
- Q3
- 2.53%
- Median
- 1.28%
- Q1
- 0.16%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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.
GEN
1.82%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GEN’s Dividend Yield of 1.82% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 218.94%
- Q3
- 90.25%
- Median
- 38.81%
- Q1
- 3.69%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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.
GEN
52.43%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 52.43%, GEN’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.82% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 52.43% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
23.73
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 74.74
- Q3
- 42.40
- Median
- 26.55
- Q1
- 20.05
- Min
- 10.12
FLEX’s P/E Ratio of 23.73 is within the middle range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
GEN
28.77
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
GEN’s P/E Ratio of 28.77 is within the middle range for the Software 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)
FLEX
0.81
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 3.58
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 0.20
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s P/S Ratio of 0.81 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
GEN
4.06
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, GEN’s P/S Ratio of 4.06 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
2.53
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.92
- Q3
- 3.80
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.44
FLEX’s P/B Ratio of 2.53 is within the conventional range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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.
GEN
8.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
GEN’s P/B Ratio of 8.00 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.73 | 28.77 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.81 | 4.06 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.53 | 8.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 19.15 | 12.73 |