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

Updated on August 26, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	MSI	QCOM
Company Name	Motorola Solutions, Inc.	QUALCOMM Incorporated
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Communications Equipment	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
Market Capitalization	76.75 billion USD	168.78 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	December 13, 1991
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MSI and QCOM 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MSI	QCOM
5-Day Price Return	0.06%	0.11%
13-Week Price Return	9.24%	6.14%
26-Week Price Return	4.92%	-10.73%
52-Week Price Return	8.53%	-7.44%
Month-to-Date Return	4.94%	6.58%
Year-to-Date Return	-0.34%	1.82%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.94M	6.59M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.93M	8.23M
3-Month Volatility	14.56%	27.79%
Beta	0.99	1.24

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

QCOM

42.85%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 52.74%
Q3: 23.49%
Median: 11.60%
Q1: 3.23%
Min: -20.69%

In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, QCOM’s Return on Equity of 42.85% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

QCOM

26.77%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 44.17%
Q3: 22.38%
Median: 11.95%
Q1: 3.21%
Min: -25.16%

A Net Profit Margin of 26.77% places QCOM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

QCOM

27.54%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 58.03%
Q3: 27.84%
Median: 12.45%
Q1: 5.15%
Min: -28.61%

QCOM’s Operating Profit Margin of 27.54% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MSI	QCOM
Return on Equity (TTM)	127.51%	42.85%
Return on Assets (TTM)	14.27%	20.96%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	19.08%	26.77%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	25.23%	27.54%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	51.34%	55.68%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

QCOM

3.19

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 8.42
Q3: 4.70
Median: 2.75
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.04

QCOM’s Current Ratio of 3.19 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

QCOM

0.54

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.45
Median: 0.22
Q1: 0.01
Min: 0.00

QCOM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

QCOM

38.40

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 174.00
Q3: 81.10
Median: 27.22
Q1: 7.28
Min: -4.26

QCOM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.40 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MSI	QCOM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.73	3.19
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.54	2.38
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	3.93	0.54
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	8.92	38.40

Growth

Revenue Growth

MSI vs. QCOM: 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

MSI vs. QCOM: 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)

MSI

0.90%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 3.88%
Q3: 2.75%
Median: 0.93%
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.

QCOM

2.27%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 4.16%
Q3: 1.78%
Median: 0.74%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 2.27%, QCOM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

QCOM

32.79%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 196.12%
Q3: 87.72%
Median: 26.57%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

QCOM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.79% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MSI	QCOM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.90%	2.27%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	32.70%	32.79%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MSI

36.30

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 57.30
Q3: 47.92
Median: 27.50
Q1: 17.89
Min: 13.89

MSI’s P/E Ratio of 36.30 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.

QCOM

14.43

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 109.37
Q3: 57.11
Median: 28.95
Q1: 22.13
Min: 11.14

In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, QCOM’s P/E Ratio of 14.43 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MSI

6.93

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 11.03
Q3: 5.53
Median: 2.20
Q1: 0.99
Min: 0.40

MSI’s P/S Ratio of 6.93 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.

QCOM

3.86

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 16.09
Q3: 10.10
Median: 4.82
Q1: 2.60
Min: 0.93

QCOM’s P/S Ratio of 3.86 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MSI vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

QCOM

6.35

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 13.56
Q3: 6.75
Median: 3.68
Q1: 1.89
Min: 0.60

QCOM’s P/B Ratio of 6.35 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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 vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MSI	QCOM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	36.30	14.43
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.93	3.86
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	35.66	6.35
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	32.22	14.38