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

Updated on October 13, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	FOUR	MSI
Company Name	Shift4 Payments, Inc.	Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Financial Services	Communications Equipment
Market Capitalization	7.03 billion USD	77.01 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 5, 2020	January 2, 1962
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of FOUR 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	FOUR	MSI
5-Day Price Return	0.89%	3.18%
13-Week Price Return	-23.95%	10.62%
26-Week Price Return	0.26%	6.14%
52-Week Price Return	-12.44%	2.91%
Month-to-Date Return	2.71%	1.09%
Year-to-Date Return	-23.40%	0.01%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.41M	0.69M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.71M	0.90M
3-Month Volatility	40.76%	16.36%
Beta	1.70	1.02

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

FOUR

21.96%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 39.28%
Q3: 18.88%
Median: 9.97%
Q1: 4.03%
Min: -10.25%

In the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry, FOUR’s Return on Equity of 21.96% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

MSI

127.51%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 32.30%
Q3: 20.90%
Median: 9.10%
Q1: 4.29%
Min: -13.50%

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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

FOUR

6.11%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 52.16%
Q3: 25.35%
Median: 12.68%
Q1: 6.11%
Min: -11.69%

FOUR’s Net Profit Margin of 6.11% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Financial Services 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: 12.56%
Median: 5.62%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: -3.09%

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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

FOUR

7.53%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 75.57%
Q3: 37.78%
Median: 19.09%
Q1: 10.04%
Min: -19.42%

FOUR’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.53% is in the lower quartile for the Financial Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

MSI

25.23%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 25.23%
Q3: 13.72%
Median: 6.44%
Q1: 3.00%
Min: -10.95%

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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	FOUR	MSI
Return on Equity (TTM)	21.96%	127.51%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.99%	14.27%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	6.11%	19.08%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	7.53%	25.23%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	30.55%	51.34%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

FOUR

2.53

Financial Services Industry

Max: 4.83
Q3: 2.70
Median: 1.44
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.01

For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

MSI

1.73

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 3.33
Q3: 2.13
Median: 1.55
Q1: 1.15
Min: 0.91

MSI’s Current Ratio of 1.73 aligns with the median group of the Communications Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

FOUR

2.34

Financial Services Industry

Max: 5.07
Q3: 2.14
Median: 0.66
Q1: 0.12
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.

MSI

3.93

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.86
Median: 0.53
Q1: 0.22
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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

FOUR

14.17

Financial Services Industry

Max: 136.23
Q3: 56.08
Median: 6.55
Q1: 2.01
Min: -33.27

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.

MSI

8.92

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 55.49
Q3: 34.19
Median: 7.59
Q1: 3.73
Min: -9.94

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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	FOUR	MSI
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.53	1.73
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.49	1.54
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.34	3.93
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	14.17	8.92

Growth

Revenue Growth

FOUR 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

FOUR 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)

FOUR

0.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 8.12%
Q3: 3.37%
Median: 1.70%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

FOUR 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: 8.13%
Q3: 3.29%
Median: 0.94%
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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

FOUR

0.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 132.10%
Q3: 64.32%
Median: 18.23%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

FOUR 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: 70.91%
Median: 30.78%
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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

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

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

FOUR

31.90

Financial Services Industry

Max: 45.81
Q3: 30.21
Median: 16.29
Q1: 10.14
Min: 0.70

A P/E Ratio of 31.90 places FOUR in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

MSI

36.53

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 103.74
Q3: 61.65
Median: 26.20
Q1: 18.12
Min: 4.19

MSI’s P/E Ratio of 36.53 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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

FOUR

1.95

Financial Services Industry

Max: 10.88
Q3: 5.34
Median: 2.64
Q1: 1.24
Min: 0.06

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.

MSI

6.97

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 6.86
Q3: 6.24
Median: 2.44
Q1: 1.02
Min: 0.48

With a P/S Ratio of 6.97, MSI trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Communications Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

FOUR

5.45

Financial Services Industry

Max: 7.93
Q3: 3.78
Median: 1.49
Q1: 0.88
Min: 0.08

FOUR’s P/B Ratio of 5.45 is in the upper tier for the Financial Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

MSI

35.66

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 6.28
Q3: 5.73
Median: 3.32
Q1: 2.02
Min: 0.42

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.

FOUR vs. MSI: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	FOUR	MSI
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	31.90	36.53
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.95	6.97
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	5.45	35.66
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	18.47	32.42