FLEX vs. STM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FLEX and STM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
FLEX is a standard domestic stock, while STM trades as New York Registered Shares, providing U.S. investors with a way to invest in the foreign-based company.
| Symbol | FLEX | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Flex Ltd. | STMicroelectronics N.V. |
| Country | United States | Netherlands |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 22.26 billion USD | 20.43 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 18, 1994 | December 8, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | NY Reg Shrs |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FLEX and STM 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 | STM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -5.74% | -4.26% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 22.43% | -11.49% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 43.35% | -13.96% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 58.45% | -14.37% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.05% | -7.40% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 56.26% | -18.60% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.78M | 2.48M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.83M | 2.56M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 37.98% | 42.09% |
| Beta | 1.26 | 1.17 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FLEX
16.77%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.62%
- Q3
- 13.32%
- Median
- 9.23%
- Q1
- 4.70%
- Min
- -3.60%
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.
STM
4.88%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 49.05%
- Q3
- 22.19%
- Median
- 7.96%
- Q1
- 0.99%
- Min
- -15.65%
STM’s Return on Equity of 4.88% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FLEX
3.33%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 18.22%
- Q3
- 10.34%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -4.57%
FLEX’s Net Profit Margin of 3.33% 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.
STM
7.65%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 24.47%
- Median
- 11.88%
- Q1
- 0.60%
- Min
- -25.46%
STM’s Net Profit Margin of 7.65% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FLEX
4.73%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 26.64%
- Q3
- 15.10%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.57%
- Min
- -7.07%
FLEX’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.73% 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.
STM
6.17%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.76%
- Median
- 12.14%
- Q1
- 3.29%
- Min
- -32.60%
STM’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.17% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.77% | 4.88% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.59% | 3.47% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.33% | 7.65% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.73% | 6.17% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.14% | 32.96% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
1.30
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.52
- Q3
- 3.20
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.33
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.
STM
2.32
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.57
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 1.02
STM’s Current Ratio of 2.32 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
0.74
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.55
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.10
- 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.
STM
0.15
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.18
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.24
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
STM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
7.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 114.40
- Q3
- 51.32
- Median
- 14.03
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -61.15
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.
STM
5.37
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.21
- Median
- 22.37
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, STM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.37 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 2.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 1.61 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 0.15 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.39 | 5.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.16%
- Q3
- 2.39%
- Median
- 1.18%
- Q1
- 0.12%
- 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.
STM
1.52%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.58%
- Q3
- 1.59%
- Median
- 0.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STM’s Dividend Yield of 1.52% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 197.57%
- Q3
- 87.33%
- Median
- 36.23%
- Q1
- 3.99%
- 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.
STM
35.28%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 211.90%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 25.84%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 35.28% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.52% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 35.28% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
25.16
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 71.05
- Q3
- 42.87
- Median
- 27.84
- Q1
- 19.17
- Min
- 7.73
FLEX’s P/E Ratio of 25.16 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.
STM
23.22
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 95.58
- Q3
- 58.67
- Median
- 34.77
- Q1
- 25.45
- Min
- 12.63
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, STM’s P/E Ratio of 23.22 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
0.84
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.81
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.16
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s P/S Ratio of 0.84 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.
STM
1.78
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 18.34
- Q3
- 10.38
- Median
- 5.38
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.32
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, STM’s P/S Ratio of 1.78 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
- 7.49
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.55
- 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.
STM
1.46
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.22
- Q3
- 8.33
- Median
- 4.39
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.30
STM’s P/B Ratio of 1.46 is in the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | STM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.16 | 23.22 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.84 | 1.78 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.53 | 1.46 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.50 | 233.98 |