FLEX vs. U: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FLEX and U, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FLEX | U |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Flex Ltd. | Unity Software Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 18.90 billion USD | 16.03 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 18, 1994 | September 18, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FLEX and U 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 | U |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.29% | 13.02% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 23.17% | 73.72% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 13.79% | 79.05% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 70.39% | 149.44% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.96% | 13.73% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 31.15% | 68.85% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.59M | 17.83M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.46M | 13.19M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.84% | 71.62% |
| Beta | 1.16 | 2.34 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FLEX
16.77%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 29.99%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.55%
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.
U
-13.62%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
U has a negative Return on Equity of -13.62%. 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FLEX
3.42%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.55%
- Q3
- 12.80%
- Median
- 7.58%
- Q1
- 3.09%
- Min
- -8.70%
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.
U
-24.38%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
U has a negative Net Profit Margin of -24.38%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FLEX
4.78%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 30.04%
- Q3
- 16.04%
- Median
- 9.75%
- Q1
- 4.27%
- Min
- -12.63%
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.
U
-25.56%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
U has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -25.56%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | U |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.77% | -13.62% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.59% | -6.47% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.42% | -24.38% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.78% | -25.56% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.94% | 74.43% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
1.30
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.43
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.64
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.
U
2.73
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
U’s Current Ratio of 2.73 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
0.74
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 0.54
- Median
- 0.34
- 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.
U
0.70
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
U’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.70 is typical for the Software 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
- 101.00
- Q3
- 43.88
- Median
- 13.27
- Q1
- 3.73
- 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.
U
-27.34
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
U has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -27.34. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | U |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 2.73 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 2.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 0.70 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.39 | -27.34 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.86%
- 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.
U
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
U 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 161.37%
- Q3
- 67.12%
- Median
- 34.46%
- Q1
- 3.82%
- 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.
U
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
U 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | U |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
21.13
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 73.87
- Q3
- 41.11
- Median
- 25.31
- Q1
- 18.58
- Min
- 8.59
FLEX’s P/E Ratio of 21.13 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.
U
--
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
P/E Ratio data for U is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
0.72
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.74
- Q3
- 3.49
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.16
- Min
- 0.11
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s P/S Ratio of 0.72 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.
U
8.91
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
U’s P/S Ratio of 8.91 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
2.53
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.45
- Q3
- 3.49
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.35
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.
U
3.16
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
U’s P/B Ratio of 3.16 is in the lower quartile for the Software 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 | U |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.13 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.72 | 8.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.53 | 3.16 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.05 | 46.29 |